"Ukraine is not a bargaining chip, and Iran's war is not our war," Renew Europe's President Valérie Hayer told Euronews from Helsinki on Friday, where she is leading a parliamentary mission on security.
The French liberal leader pushed back against US secretary of state Marco Rubio's suggestion that, if Europe does not help the US in Iran, Washington will become less involved in securing a peace deal in Ukraine.
Both European and Ukrainian officials agree a US-led backstop will be necessary to conclude security guarantees for Kyiv. Without the US participation, the package won’t be as strong in deterring future aggression from Russia.
Speaking before travelling to France for a G7 meeting, Rubio made clear the US administration’s frustration with European allies’ refusal to aid the US-Israeli offensive against Iran, calling on them to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz.
“I think it was a couple of the leaders in Europe who said that this was not Europe’s war. Well, Ukraine is not America’s war,” Rubio said.
For Hayer, a shift of attention from Ukraine would be "a huge mistake.”
"Russia is the first threat to us," Hayer said, considering that defending Ukraine should remain the "top priority" for European leaders.
Asked if the Europeans should help the Trump administration to open the Strait of Hormuz, she said the focus is on energy and unlocking the waterway for Europe’s own needs, not just America’s demands. The Strait of Hormuz carries one fifth of global oil.
"This is not a question of helping Americans. This is a question of energy security. What we have done until now [...] is also to move on to environmental transitions. We are too dependent on fossil fuels, we need to be more independent."
