Estonian PM Kaja Kallas, a Russia hardliner, is about to take over the European bloc’s overseas coverage later this 12 months
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who was not too long ago nominated to steer the EU’s overseas coverage, has a historical past of hostile attitudes in the direction of Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has mentioned.
A Russia hardliner, Kallas was formally nominated to interchange Josep Borrell on Friday. Her candidacy have to be permitted by the newly elected European Parliament, which is able to convene for the primary time subsequent month – a process broadly seen as a formality.
“Kallas is well-known [in Russia] for her completely uncompromising and typically even rabid Russophobic statements,” Peskov informed reporters on Friday.
Peskov added that Ursula von der Leyen, who was not too long ago nominated for a 3rd time period because the president of the European Fee, “shouldn’t be a proponent of normalization of relations between the EU and Russia.”
“That’s what we all know her for and that’s how we bear in mind her. On this sense, nothing has modified,” Peskov mentioned.
A number of Russian officers urged that the insurance policies championed by Kallas will solely result in additional escalation. Overseas Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned this week that the appointment of Kallas would “improve the extent of madness” in Brussels.
Kallas has constantly lobbied for stronger sanctions in opposition to Russia and extra navy support for Ukraine. Underneath her helm, Estonia grew to become the primary EU nation to approve a mechanism of the confiscation of frozen Russian belongings and utilizing them as “compensation” for Kiev.
In an op-ed revealed in The New York Occasions in 2022, Kallas referred to as for “a long-term coverage of good containment” of Moscow, which incorporates unwavering assist for Ukraine, sanctions on Russian oil and gasoline commerce, and the rise of navy spending amongst EU members.
The Estonian politician is about to take over the EU’s diplomatic service because the bloc is struggling to obtain sufficient weapons for Ukraine and the result of the 2024 US presidential election is way from sure. Brussels can even should cope with defiant Hungary and Slovakia, whose governments have been important of the EU’s strategy to the battle in Ukraine.
You may share this story on social media:
