Former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas faced questioning in the European Parliament regarding her potential confirmation as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Kallas, who served two terms as Prime Minister and was a leading voice on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, answered questions on various topics including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, EU competition with China, and its role in Africa. She emphasized the importance of unity in the face of global challenges, stating that “the world is on fire so we have to stick together.”
Kallas discussed the war in Ukraine extensively during her hearing, emphasizing the need for Europe to resist the Russian narrative and continue imposing sanctions on Russia. She stressed the importance of making tough choices in the short term to support Ukraine and achieve long-term benefits. She criticized the Minsk agreements and highlighted the historical context of Russia’s aggression by mentioning that the country has never lost its last colonial war, suggesting that this was necessary for it to become better.
Regarding EU defense, Kallas highlighted significant underinvestment in defense across Europe and the need for every country to meet their pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defense spending. She criticized the fact that North Korea was reportedly sending more ammunition to Ukraine than the entire Euro-Atlantic community. However, she stopped short of advocating for a common EU defense budget or defense force, emphasizing NATO’s role in defense and the EU’s economic and manufacturing-oriented focus.
Kallas also addressed the issue of frozen Russian assets, suggesting that these assets should be used to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine instead of EU taxpayer money. She discussed the BRICS alliance and its attempt to decouple the Global South from Western values, emphasizing the need for the EU to effectively communicate its values and actions in contrast to countries like Russia, China, and Iran. Additionally, she highlighted the situation in Belarus, expressing support for the opposition and the need to help political prisoners in the country.
Throughout the hearing, Kallas emphasized the need for unity, resolve, and tough decisions in addressing global challenges, particularly in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. She called for continued sanctions on Russia, investment in EU defense capabilities, and the use of frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Kallas also stressed the importance of engaging with the Global South, communicating EU values effectively, and supporting democratic movements in countries like Belarus. Overall, her responses reflected a commitment to a strong and united EU stance on foreign affairs and security policy.
