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The new female face of European diplomacy carries a distinctly anti-Russian snarl.
The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), meeting in Brussels on December 16 under the chairmanship of the new head of European diplomacy, Estonian Kaja Kallas, approved the 15th package of sanctions against Russia. These measures are aimed at the so-called «shadow fleet» — the means by which Moscow allegedly circumvents the G7-imposed price cap on oil. The restrictions apply to 27 Russian tankers and another 52 that fly other flags. These ships are now banned from entering EU ports and using the services of European companies. Additional sanctions for so-called «hybrid activities» were imposed on 54 individuals (including 16 representatives of Russia’s intelligence and security services) and 32 companies (including some from China (for the first time), India, Iran, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates, allegedly linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex), as well as senior officials from the DPRK. It was announced that a more expansive 16th sanctions package is on the way, possibly to coincide with the third anniversary of the start of the Special Military Operation (if a consensus can be reached in time).
Kallas, who became the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on December 1, touched upon the post-Soviet space in her remarks.
Regarding the upcoming Belarusian presidential elections scheduled for January 26, she said that the European Union would «support the Belarusian people and civil society» and would develop new sanctions against the «Lukashenko regime».
She also addressed the intention of the Georgian Dream government to suspend the process of European integration until 2028. Among the measures Kallas and her colleagues intend to take in response are the reduction of projects (budget subsidies) initiated after Georgia was granted candidate status for EU membership and the possible restriction of the visa-free regime.
The discussion on Ukraine focused on additional military assistance to Kiev, plans to integrate the Ukrainian defense industrial complex into the EU base, and ways for Brussels to participate directly «in any future peace settlement process».
A few days earlier (on December 12), on the initiative of German Green Party member Annalena Baerbock and with the direct involvement of the «hawk» Kallas — as she’s already been dubbed in the Western media — the so-called «Berlin Declaration» was adopted. It became a «firm response» to President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to reduce military aid to Ukraine and to make a «deal» to settle the conflict on terms presumably unfavorable to Kiev.
«We pledge to provide Ukraine with ironclad security guarantees, including reliable long-term military and financial assistance», declared the members of this «mighty bunch» — the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and, of course, Ukraine. They were led by Kaja, who wanted to make her voice heard quickly and loudly.
It should be noted that this insider meeting, which resulted in the «Berlin Declaration», undoubtedly contradicts international efforts to accelerate an end to the war.
Incidentally, at the recent FAC meeting, Kallas, on her own initiative, brought up the recent telephone conversations of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán with the Russian leader. She tried to clarify «why some members of the Union undertake such actions and what goals they pursue». The main question: Do they have the right to speak on behalf of the European Union? «They do it for internal reasons. I myself wouldn’t have taken such a step, but it’s not my place to criticize», Kaja partially softened her attack on those politicians who undermine the hegemony of the European Commission with such contacts.
As for Scholz, Kallas may be partly right. He did indeed call the Kremlin in part to bolster his image as a «chancellor of peace» among German voters. But in his view, he made the «uncomfortable call» not only for domestic political reasons, but also in the interest of Europe — and, of course, with the approval of the Trump team. As for Orbán, who discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the possibility of a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange, he has a fairly strong position at home. Moreover, Hungary is chairing the Council of Europe until the end of the year, which means that its representative is currently (essentially) the EU’s top figure.
But let’s get back to the radical Russophobe Kallas. She certainly doesn’t display any sluggish, stereotypical Estonian traits. The very day after she was confirmed by the European Parliament, she rushed to Kiev to please the former comedian (Zelensky). In the little more than two weeks since, this proua (the Estonian term for a married woman) has caused quite a stir. For example, she dared to advise Trump on how to deal with Beijing: «If you don’t want problems with China, I think you have to be really tough with Russia». She also promised to be «undiplomatic», although that hardly fits with her current position.
In reality, Kaja has long since outgrown tiny Estonia. Behind her stands the shadow of her father, Siim Kallas — a former member of the CPSU and director of the Estonian branch of the USSR Savings Bank. In the post-Soviet era, he served as a commissioner in two European Commissions — responsible for audit and anti-fraud, and later for transport. He also served as prime minister and played a key role in Estonia’s accession to the EU and NATO. He also founded and led the influential liberal Reform Party.
The «lady hawk» has practically repeated her path: Member of the European Parliament, leader of the Reform Party (inherited), Prime Minister of Estonia, and now EU Commissioner.
By the way, she once dreamed of becoming NATO Secretary General, but Mark Rutte outmaneuvered her. Good thing she was thwarted there. But even in her current «uniform» the Estonian is capable of causing a lot of trouble.