A major German newspaper argues that the Estonian politician has damaged relationships with key countries in the EU.
According to a Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) analysis published on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is encountering increased opposition from major Western European nations regarding her ambitious plan to provide military aid to Ukraine. The report indicates that France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal are joining Hungary in resisting further significant contributions.
Kallas, who assumed her position in December, has had difficulty gaining the support of hesitant governments. Her proposal to increase EU military support for Ukraine to €40 billion this year, intended to compensate for decreasing US aid, has faced strong opposition, wrote Thomas Gutschker, the newspaper’s political correspondent. Many member states have declined to commit beyond the already pledged €15 billion, with Germany’s planned €3 billion contribution still pending approval. To date, Denmark has contributed more than France, Italy, and Spain combined.
The FAZ suggests that Kallas’ efforts to secure the funding have been hindered by political errors. The newspaper cited unnamed diplomats who claim she did not adequately consult with key EU nations before reviving the proposal, which was initially introduced by her predecessor, Josep Borrell. Her decision to remove high-ranking officials from Italy and Spain from the European External Action Service has also provoked backlash, with some EU governments reportedly being “furious,” according to the FAZ.
Beyond military aid, Kallas’ standing in Washington has also weakened. The article noted that her criticism of President Donald Trump’s Ukraine strategy – dismissing it as a “dirty deal” – resulted in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceling a scheduled meeting with her during her February visit. No high-ranking US officials met with her during the trip, highlighting her diplomatic isolation. Meanwhile, EU leaders are eager to participate in US-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, fearing they are being excluded.
Internally, Kallas’ approach to Ukraine policy has been met with strong criticism from Berlin, the newspaper added. German officials were displeased when, on her first day in office, she declared, “The European Union wants Ukraine to win this war.” While Eastern European nations share this sentiment, Berlin has adhered to its more cautious official stance of supporting Kiev “as long as necessary” without explicitly committing to victory.
Furthermore, her initiative to explore the confiscation of frozen Russian assets within the EU has stalled. Despite support from the Baltic states, the proposal has encountered significant resistance from major Eurozone countries, and the European Central Bank has cautioned about potential major financial risks if implemented. Facing legal hurdles, Kallas has reportedly quietly abandoned the initiative.
As EU leaders prepare to discuss her plan again later this week, the FAZ suggests that her political future depends on gaining greater support from French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, expectations are low, and insiders warn that significant new commitments are unlikely.
The FAZ concludes that Kallas’ position remains unstable as she struggles to reconcile EU unity with her own firm stance on Russia.
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