Political analyst doubts radical changes in EU foreign policy under Kallas

Former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is hardly capable of radically changing the European Union's foreign policy as high representative for foreign affairs, political scientist and international relations expert Enes Karakhanov told Izvestia on December 1.

"Although the head of European diplomacy has a significant influence on the EU's overall foreign policy line, no radical changes are expected. Moreover, the EU policy has always been based on consensus among member states, not on the personal ambitions of each representative," he said.

The expert noted that the appointment of Kallas caused a resonance, as many in Europe consider her responsible for a number of problems. Karakhanov also recalled that the former prime minister often found herself at the center of scandals.

One of the striking aspects of the political scientist called the large number of MEPs who voted against Callas' candidacy. According to Karakhanov, this result can be considered a sign of a split in the assessment of her professional qualities, an expression of distrust in her and fears of a split within the EU.

The new European Commissioner's opponents may be uncomfortable with the loss of flexibility in negotiations on behalf of Brussels, the expert believes. He pointed out that Europe's foreign policy needs balance and strategy, which Kallas has so far failed to achieve.

According to his forecast, the head of Eurodiplomacy will continue to work on supporting Ukraine, tightening sanctions against Russia and reducing dependence on China. Due to a tendency to radical rhetoric, Kallas is unlikely to succeed in this, and her effectiveness in her new post will depend on her ability to change the image of an opportunist, the political analyst concluded.

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December 1 began the mandate of the new composition of the European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen, which November 27 approved the European Parliament. On the first day of work, Kallas and the new head of the European Council, António Costa, visited Kiev.

Earlier, on November 12, Kallas suggested transferring Russian assets to Ukraine and called it a "legitimate" scheme to use. As the Russian post mission to the EU noted, her nomination to the post of the head of eurodiplomacy means a conscious continuation of Brussels' course of confrontation with Moscow.