Estonian PM Kaja Kallas, a Russia hardliner, is ready to take over the European bloc’s overseas coverage later this yr
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who was lately nominated to guide the EU’s overseas coverage, has a historical past of hostile attitudes in direction of Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated.
A Russia hardliner, Kallas was formally nominated to switch Josep Borrell on Friday. Her candidacy have to be permitted by the newly elected European Parliament, which can 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 generally even rabid Russophobic statements,” Peskov instructed reporters on Friday.
Peskov added that Ursula von der Leyen, who was lately nominated for a 3rd time period because the president of the European Fee, “is just not 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 stated.
A number of Russian officers recommended that the insurance policies championed by Kallas will solely result in additional escalation. International Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated this week that the appointment of Kallas would “enhance the extent of madness” in Brussels.
Kallas has persistently lobbied for stronger sanctions in opposition to Russia and extra navy assist for Ukraine. Below her helm, Estonia turned the primary EU nation to approve a mechanism of the confiscation of frozen Russian property and utilizing them as “compensation” for Kiev.
In an op-ed printed in The New York Instances in 2022, Kallas referred to as for “a long-term coverage of sensible containment” of Moscow, which incorporates unwavering help for Ukraine, sanctions on Russian oil and fuel commerce, and the rise of navy spending amongst EU members.
The Estonian politician is ready to take over the EU’s diplomatic service because the bloc is struggling to obtain sufficient weapons for Ukraine and the end result of the 2024 US presidential election is way from sure. Brussels may even need to take care of defiant Hungary and Slovakia, whose governments have been vital of the EU’s method to the battle in Ukraine.
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