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EU’s Kallas isolates great member nations
(MENAFN) EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is facing growing opposition from key Western European nations over her push to increase military aid for Ukraine, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported on Monday. France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal have joined Hungary in resisting her proposal for a €40 billion aid package, aimed at compensating for declining US support.
Since taking office in December, Kallas has struggled to gain backing from skeptical governments. Many EU nations have refused to go beyond the €15 billion already pledged, with Germany’s planned €3 billion contribution still awaiting approval. Denmark remains the only country that has contributed more than France, Italy, and Spain combined.
According to FAZ, Kallas has made political missteps that have alienated major member states. She reportedly failed to consult key EU governments before reviving a plan originally introduced by her predecessor, Josep Borrell. Additionally, her removal of high-ranking Italian and Spanish officials from the European External Action Service has sparked backlash, with some EU diplomats expressing anger over her approach.
Kallas has also weakened her position in Washington. Her criticism of President Donald Trump’s Ukraine strategy as a “dirty deal” led to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceling a meeting with her during her February visit. No senior American officials met with her during the trip, highlighting her diplomatic isolation.
In Germany, Kallas has faced criticism for declaring on her first day in office that the EU wants Ukraine to "win the war," a stance shared by Eastern European nations but at odds with Berlin’s more cautious policy of supporting Kiev "as long as necessary."
Her proposal to confiscate frozen Russian assets in the EU has also hit a dead end. While backed by the Baltic states, it has been met with strong resistance from major Eurozone countries, and the European Central Bank has warned of serious financial risks. Facing legal obstacles, Kallas has reportedly abandoned the initiative.
As EU leaders prepare to discuss her aid proposal later this week, FAZ suggests that her political survival depends on securing support from French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, expectations remain low, and insiders caution that significant new commitments are unlikely.
The newspaper concluded that Kallas' position remains uncertain as she struggles to maintain EU unity while holding a hardline stance on Russia.
Since taking office in December, Kallas has struggled to gain backing from skeptical governments. Many EU nations have refused to go beyond the €15 billion already pledged, with Germany’s planned €3 billion contribution still awaiting approval. Denmark remains the only country that has contributed more than France, Italy, and Spain combined.
According to FAZ, Kallas has made political missteps that have alienated major member states. She reportedly failed to consult key EU governments before reviving a plan originally introduced by her predecessor, Josep Borrell. Additionally, her removal of high-ranking Italian and Spanish officials from the European External Action Service has sparked backlash, with some EU diplomats expressing anger over her approach.
Kallas has also weakened her position in Washington. Her criticism of President Donald Trump’s Ukraine strategy as a “dirty deal” led to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceling a meeting with her during her February visit. No senior American officials met with her during the trip, highlighting her diplomatic isolation.
In Germany, Kallas has faced criticism for declaring on her first day in office that the EU wants Ukraine to "win the war," a stance shared by Eastern European nations but at odds with Berlin’s more cautious policy of supporting Kiev "as long as necessary."
Her proposal to confiscate frozen Russian assets in the EU has also hit a dead end. While backed by the Baltic states, it has been met with strong resistance from major Eurozone countries, and the European Central Bank has warned of serious financial risks. Facing legal obstacles, Kallas has reportedly abandoned the initiative.
As EU leaders prepare to discuss her aid proposal later this week, FAZ suggests that her political survival depends on securing support from French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, expectations remain low, and insiders caution that significant new commitments are unlikely.
The newspaper concluded that Kallas' position remains uncertain as she struggles to maintain EU unity while holding a hardline stance on Russia.
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