The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, addressed the complexities of the EU’s relationships with major global powers during a conference hosted by Lennart Meri. Her remarks highlighted the challenges the EU faces in maintaining unity while engaging with significant nations such as the United States, China, and Russia.
Kallas noted that these countries often find it easier to interact with individual member states rather than the EU as a collective entity. This dynamic raises concerns about the internal cohesion of the Union.
“It is easy to tell each country: my relations with you are excellent, but I do not like the European Union,” Kallas stated.
She emphasized the risk that individual member states might adopt this approach, potentially undermining the EU’s collective stance. Kallas warned that external players could exploit divisions within the EU, making the Union weaker when it is fragmented.
“It is division that works against us,” she remarked, stressing the importance of member states consistently supporting EU-wide decisions.
Kallas further asserted that the strength of the EU lies in its unity, and any internal disagreements could weaken its position on the global stage. Additionally, she referenced previous discussions regarding Ukraine’s EU membership negotiations, indicating that the opening of the first cluster of talks is unlikely before June 2026.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, emphasized the importance of unity among member states while addressing the complexities of the EU's relationships with major global powers. She warned that internal divisions could be exploited by external actors, weakening the EU's global influence.