Diplomat Kallas Tries to Establish Position Amid Trump's West Disruption
**"Mornin'! You never know what you're walkin' into these days, right?" she chucked to AFP, scowling as she acted out checking her phone.
"It's madness."
After a career advocating for a strong NATO and close ties between Europe and the States, Estonia's ex-prime minister Kallas, 47, was chosen as Foreign Policy Chief. Her unwavering support for Ukraine in their struggle with Russia earned her the position last June. A die-hard Kremlin critic, she's been pushing for robust NATO and EU-US ties.
But hey, just a few months in, and Trump's flipped the script. He's reversed the US stance on Kyiv, courting Russia, and unpicking the Western alliance that's been Europe's rock for decades.
"It's like throwin' a vase on the ground and stickin' it back together," Kallas mused, weaving through the EU Commission's headquarters, "it's the same piece, but it ain't the same vibe."
Life sure as hell ain't easy when the new US regime is openly hostile to the EU. As the world tries to keep up, Kallas's role's evolved fast.
The US admin, as far as she can tell, shuns the EU and leaves 'em out when it comes to settling the Ukraine conflict. Kallas had a taste of that when Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled a meeting with her in February. But she insists Rubio's been cordial after other encounters, and they've exchanged friendly phone calls.
Europe, meanwhile, is splintering into smaller groups, with heavy-hitters like France and Britain leading the way. Kallas digs these "coalitions of the willing," especially for bypassing Russia-leaning nations like Hungary. Still, she worries about the EU’s influence waning.
"Opponents don't love the EU cause when we act together, we're a force to reckon with. But when we're united, we're equal pow’rs. That's a game-changer," she explained.
Bickering Bunch
According to diplomats, the EU High Representative's job is like wrestling an alligator in a hurricane. The 27 member states still stick to their own, sometimes conflicting, policies, and the position lacks the power to herd 'em all into line.
"They want a bureaucrat, not a leader," one diplomat groused, speaking under the radar. "So anyone there'll cop criticism."
Kallas is the only former national leader to hold this post, and she's bringin' her clout to the table. But some diplomats think she's too dogmatic and stubborn, unable to see the big picture.
Kallas tried to push for a multibillion-euro arms package for Ukraine but faced resistance from France and Italy. Disappointed, she toned it down, aiming for two million artillery shells instead. And, she boasted, two-thirds of that's already delivered.
Kallas gets frustrated with the constant bickering among EU institutions. "I ain't bothered who gets to score a point," she scoffed. "I'm about gettin' stuff done."
Silver Linings
Despite the chaos, Kallas sees opportunities for Europe to expand its geopolitical influence, from Asia to Africa and beyond. "Things are gettin' invigoratin'," she grinned. "Everybody's knockin' on Europe's door. We're the reliable, predictable partner."
She's pushing the EU's diplomatic arm to be more nimble, pointing to successes like getting most member states to back a UN resolution for Ukraine, despite US pressure.
"Navigatin' this is tough, but you gotta be quick and agile. Ready to adapt and evolve," she said.
So, is she thinkin' her job's impossible over the next five years?
"I'm giving it my best and hopin' it's enough," she shrugged. "It's a tough gig, definitely, but ask me again in 55 months."
© 2025 AFP
Enrichment Data:
Impact on EU-US Relationship: While Trump's tenure exhibited a transactional approach toward the EU, characterized by high tariffs and a retreat from traditional cooperation, France and former EU member Britain stepped up to lead European responses to US policy shifts. This shift underscored the evolving dynamics in transatlantic relations and elevated the EU's need for deeper strategic autonomy and unity in its external relations.
Impact Related to the Ukraine War: Trump's administration expressed ambiguous support for Ukraine in its struggle with Russia, which impacted EU unity and the High Representative's efforts to foster a coherent foreign policy response. Challenging US statements and inconsistent policy shifts forced the EU to assume a more prominent role in its own defense and security matters, given the perception that the US was withdrawing from NATO commitments. The High Representative also had to navigate opposing views among EU member states regarding the arms package for Ukraine and other response measures.
Summary: Trump's presidency introduced a complex environment for the EU, as it faced transactional and sometimes unpredictable external relations with the US, particularly concerning the Ukraine war, EU-US trade, and the shrinking anti-corruption enforcement priority. The EU High Representative’s role became increasingly critical in managing these challenges, including maintaining solidarity and fostering a cohesive foreign policy response in the face of uncertain US stances and increased strategic autonomy requirements. The administration’s approach highlighted the need for a more assertive and coordinated EU foreign policy under the High Representative.
- Despite her unwavering support for Ukraine in their struggle with Russia, Estonia's ex-prime minister Kallas, now the EU Foreign Policy Chief, finds herself in a challenging environment due to Trump's reversal of the US stance on Kyiv.
- As the US shuns the EU and leaves them out in settling the Ukraine conflict, Kallas's role has evolved, requiring her to navigate the complex web of EU-US relations.
- In Europe, the splintering into smaller groups, with heavy-hitters like France and Britain leading the way, presents a concern for Kallas, who worries about the EU’s influence waning.
- Kallas had a taste of the EU's exclusion from US decisions when Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled a meeting with her in February.
- Frustrated with the constant bickering among EU institutions, Kallas advocates for a nimble and agile EU diplomatic arm that can adapt to evolving geopolitical scenarios.
- Kallas sees opportunities for Europe to expand its geopolitical influence, from Asia to Africa and beyond, by positioning itself as a reliable and predictable partner.
- The High Representative's job, Kallas notes, is like wrestling an alligator in a hurricane, given the 27 member states' sometimes conflicting policies and the position lacking the power to herd them all into line.
- Diplomats criticize Kallas for being too dogmatic and stubborn, unable to see the big picture, particularly when it comes to her efforts to push for a multibillion-euro arms package for Ukraine.
- In her pursuit of a coherent foreign policy response, the High Representative achieved success in getting most member states to back a UN resolution for Ukraine, despite US pressure, demonstrating the EU's potential for strategic autonomy.
