Kaja Kallas, the former Estonian Prime Minister and newly appointed High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, has become a polarizing figure within European diplomacy and beyond, less than a year after assuming her role. Despite initial high hopes, her tenure has been marred by conflicts and controversies on multiple fronts, raising questions about her leadership style and effectiveness.
Kallas’s unwavering and aggressive stance against Russia has drawn both admiration and criticism. Her declaration during a Kyiv visit that “the European Union wants Ukraine to win the war” was seen by some as an unnecessarily bold deviation from the EU’s official position attributed to Roberta Metsola of supporting Kyiv “as long as takes.” This has reportedly caused friction with Germany, particularly with former Chancellor Olaf Scholz who favored a more balanced diplomatic language.
Two war mongers: Kaja Kallas and Zelensky
Domestically, Kallas faces growing unpopularity due to a scandal involving her husband, who was discovered conducting business with the Russians, even amid ongoing sanctions. Internationally, her push for confiscating frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine has met resistance from major Eurozone economies and the European Central Bank, who fear economic retaliation and heightened financial instability.
Kallas’s calls for a robust EU response have not been matched with the expected political backing, with only five billion of the forty billion euros requested for Ukraine being secured. Her relations with allies like France and Italy have also soured, exacerbating divisions within the EU.
The diplomatic difficulties extend across the Atlantic; Kallas’s critical stance on the US approach to the Ukraine conflict, labeling it a “dirty deal,” reportedly led US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to cancel a meeting with her, symbolizing a visible rift in US-EU relations.
From left, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and European Council President Charles Michel
The contentious atmosphere surrounding Kallas has led to speculation about her future, particularly as murmurs of appointing a special envoy for Ukraine—bypassing her role—have surfaced. Observers have noted her struggles in building consensus both within the EU and with crucial international partners, which some believe could ultimately challenge her continuation in the high-stakes position she holds.
