Kallas explains why EU refuses to participate in operation to secure shipping in Strait of Hormuz

The European Union will not participate in the operation to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which US President Donald Trump has been asking allies to do in recent days. The bloc does not want to endanger its people, but is ready to seek diplomatic ways to resolve the situation.

This was stated by the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, March 17.

According to her, European countries tried to convince Israel and the United States to refrain from starting hostilities against Iran.

"The main concern of European countries is that we were not consulted about the start of this war. In fact, it was the opposite. Many Europeans tried to convince Israel and the United States not to start this war," Kallas said.

She was asked to comment on Trump's call for NATO allies and others to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Kallas said EU countries would not want to change the mandate of the existing Operation Aspides, which began in February 2024 in the Red Sea in response to attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on civilian vessels. She stressed the importance of the Red Sea and that the EU was not prepared to put its people at risk in the Strait of Hormuz.

Kallas said diplomatic ways needed to be found to keep shipping in the Strait of Hormuz open and to avoid a food crisis, as the war against Iran had also affected global fertilizer supplies.

She added that the EU had already started talks with Jordan, Egypt and Gulf states on the situation.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on Monday, March 16, it became known that US allies massively rejected President Trump's request for military support to open the Strait of Hormuz.

As a reminder, the day before, Trump hinted that he might postpone his planned visit to China so that Beijing could help secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

To request a correction, please send an email.