FAZ: EU's Kallas Has Estranged Key Member States
An analysis in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung highlights that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is encountering increasing opposition in key Western European capitals regarding her ambitious military aid proposal for Ukraine. France,...
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An analysis in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung highlights that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is encountering increasing opposition in key Western European capitals regarding her ambitious military aid proposal for Ukraine. France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal have joined Hungary in opposing significant new contributions to the plan.
Since taking office in December, Kallas has found it difficult to gain support from skeptical member states. Her proposal to elevate EU military assistance for Ukraine to €40 billion this year, intended to offset the declining US aid, has faced substantial pushback, as noted by the newspaper’s political correspondent Thomas Gutschker. Several member states have declined to extend their commitments beyond the €15 billion already promised, with Berlin's anticipated €3 billion contribution still pending approval. Notably, Denmark has provided more aid than France, Italy, and Spain combined.
The FAZ report indicates that Kallas’ attempts to secure funding have been undermined by political missteps. Unnamed diplomats cited in the article assert that she failed to adequately consult significant EU nations before reviving a proposal initially put forth by her predecessor, Josep Borrell. Her choice to remove senior officials from Italy and Spain within the European External Action Service has also provoked backlash, with some EU governments reportedly “furious,” according to the FAZ.
Beyond military support, Kallas appears to have diminished her standing in Washington. The report notes her criticism of former President Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine—branding it a “dirty deal”—resulted in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceling a planned meeting with her during her visit in February. No senior US officials met with her during this trip, underscoring her diplomatic isolation. Meanwhile, EU leaders are eager to participate in US-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, expressing concern about being sidelined in the process.
Domestically, Kallas’ approach to Ukraine policy has drawn sharp rebukes from Berlin. German officials expressed frustration when she stated on her first day in office, “The European Union wants Ukraine to win this war.” While Eastern European nations support this sentiment, Berlin has adhered to a more cautious stance of backing Kyiv “as long as necessary” without explicitly declaring victory as a goal.
Moreover, her initiative to investigate the confiscation of frozen Russian assets in the EU has faced significant hurdles. Despite support from the Baltic states, the proposal has encountered strong opposition from Eurozone heavyweights, and the European Central Bank has warned of substantial financial risks associated with its implementation. Kallas has reportedly decided to quietly shelve the initiative amidst these legal obstacles.
As EU leaders prepare to revisit her plan later this week, the FAZ suggests that Kallas’ political future may depend on securing stronger backing from French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, expectations are tempered, and insiders caution that major new commitments are unlikely.
In conclusion, the FAZ emphasizes that Kallas’ position remains fragile as she navigates the challenges of maintaining EU unity while adhering to her hardline stance on Russia.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Since taking office in December, Kallas has found it difficult to gain support from skeptical member states. Her proposal to elevate EU military assistance for Ukraine to €40 billion this year, intended to offset the declining US aid, has faced substantial pushback, as noted by the newspaper’s political correspondent Thomas Gutschker. Several member states have declined to extend their commitments beyond the €15 billion already promised, with Berlin's anticipated €3 billion contribution still pending approval. Notably, Denmark has provided more aid than France, Italy, and Spain combined.
The FAZ report indicates that Kallas’ attempts to secure funding have been undermined by political missteps. Unnamed diplomats cited in the article assert that she failed to adequately consult significant EU nations before reviving a proposal initially put forth by her predecessor, Josep Borrell. Her choice to remove senior officials from Italy and Spain within the European External Action Service has also provoked backlash, with some EU governments reportedly “furious,” according to the FAZ.
Beyond military support, Kallas appears to have diminished her standing in Washington. The report notes her criticism of former President Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine—branding it a “dirty deal”—resulted in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceling a planned meeting with her during her visit in February. No senior US officials met with her during this trip, underscoring her diplomatic isolation. Meanwhile, EU leaders are eager to participate in US-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, expressing concern about being sidelined in the process.
Domestically, Kallas’ approach to Ukraine policy has drawn sharp rebukes from Berlin. German officials expressed frustration when she stated on her first day in office, “The European Union wants Ukraine to win this war.” While Eastern European nations support this sentiment, Berlin has adhered to a more cautious stance of backing Kyiv “as long as necessary” without explicitly declaring victory as a goal.
Moreover, her initiative to investigate the confiscation of frozen Russian assets in the EU has faced significant hurdles. Despite support from the Baltic states, the proposal has encountered strong opposition from Eurozone heavyweights, and the European Central Bank has warned of substantial financial risks associated with its implementation. Kallas has reportedly decided to quietly shelve the initiative amidst these legal obstacles.
As EU leaders prepare to revisit her plan later this week, the FAZ suggests that Kallas’ political future may depend on securing stronger backing from French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, expectations are tempered, and insiders caution that major new commitments are unlikely.
In conclusion, the FAZ emphasizes that Kallas’ position remains fragile as she navigates the challenges of maintaining EU unity while adhering to her hardline stance on Russia.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
