Kaja Callas in the jaws of Brussels: Who leads the EU's foreign policy?

At a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday (13 July), her every word will be weighed again. First of all, because the relationship with Israel one of the topics on the agenda.

Since the claim that she is the chief diplomat of the European Union appeared Kaya Callas compared the Israeli government to the "apartheid system in the Republic of South Africa", criticism of her escalated further.

The German chancellor publicly reprimanded at the last EU summit: "I strongly disagree with such a choice of words and it must be thoroughly discussed," he said. Friedrich Mertz.

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, Armin Lachet, publicly requested her resignation.

Callas herself said: "I can't constantly fight against those shadows, against claims of what I allegedly said behind closed doors or didn't say. Let's stick to what I said officially - that's the European point of view that I represent."

Photo: FoNet/AP

In June 2026, Israel cut off contacts with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Kaya Callas. It came after reports emerged that in a closed-door meeting in Mexico, she compared Israel's handling of the Palestinian territories to South Africa's former apartheid regime.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar asked to withdraw those statements. Callas has so far neither denied nor confirmed the comparison, but instead emphasized the importance of conducting a dialogue between the European Union and Israel with mutual respect.

There is talk of "mutual incitement"

Too undiplomatic, too critical of Israel, too ambitious. The head of EU diplomacy has been exposed to criticism for months. The reason is, on the one hand, the complexity of European foreign policy, and on the other, its complicated relationship with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The conflict between the president of the Commission and her high representative for foreign affairs in Brussels is openly commented on. At an event organized by the Bavarian Delegation to the EU, former European Commissioner Günther Oettinger spoke of "energy-consuming backbiting", adding that under Ursula von der Leyen the Commission is run more "presidentially than collegially". Callas herself is said to have once used the word "dictator".

Photo: AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias

The two women have a lot in common: both come from political families, both successfully balance a large family and a career, both are considered ambitious and disciplined. The difference is that Kalas was already the prime minister of Estonia, while Ursula von der Leyen was "only" a minister in Germany.

Who's in charge here?

But if you talk to people in Brussels, it becomes clear that it is less about the alleged "women's conflict" and more about the fundamental question: who is actually responsible for European foreign policy?

The EU has held the position of chief diplomat only since 2011. When Callas took over, everyone wanted a strong voice and clear political positioning. But that's exactly what she's complaining about today.

In addition, its room for maneuver is limited because foreign policy decisions require unanimity, and Europe often comes to it only around the lowest common denominator - if it comes to it at all.

The fact that US President Donald Trump is trying to divide the EU makes it even more difficult to speak with one voice. Many in Brussels understand that Kalas, as an Estonian, warns of the danger from Russia. However, this weakens her position as a diplomat, and even as a possible mediator in the war in Ukraine.

The war against Ukraine changed the balance of power within the EU. President of the Commission Von der Leyen defends support for Ukraine resolutely - "as long as necessary". In the new budget, the EU is asking for billions of euros to strengthen European defense capabilities.

Now Košta has joined in.

Who, therefore, represents the foreign policy of the European Union? That is the real problem, which goes far beyond the current outrage. Ursula von der Leyen wants to lead a geopolitically oriented Commission, which often conflicts with the interests of Kaja Callas.

Then there are the politically powerful heads of state and government. Foreign and security policy is still primarily the responsibility of the member states. And then NATO is also in the game. In the E3 or E5 formats, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Poland and Italy are trying to extinguish various world crisis hotspots.

As if that was not enough, the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who represents the EU member states, established secret contacts with Moscow, without first coordinating it with others.

Photo: Tanjug/European Council/Sierakowski Frederic

And isn't the real "EU foreign minister" trade commissioner Maros Šefčovič, who has direct access to Washington and Beijing? The European Commission, heads of state and government and Kaja Callas are competing for European foreign policy.

An internal document suggests three possibilities

In order to overcome these blockages, an internal French document proposes three options for reform.

Foreign policy could be placed entirely under the jurisdiction of the European Commission. Another possibility is that it will come under the jurisdiction of the Council of the EU, that is, Antonio Košta and the representatives of 27 heads of state and government. The third possibility would be to significantly strengthen the position of Kaya Callas and the European External Action Service within the EU system. At present, however, all three options are considered unlikely.

Callas will probably have to come to terms with the fact that, as a former prime minister, she now only prepares decisions together with the ministers of foreign affairs, while the final decisions are made by her former colleagues, heads of state and government. Her supporters say it is not at all easy to understand.

After all, this was only her second choice anyway - she actually wanted to become the Secretary General of NATO. But even for that position, she was considered too undiplomatic.

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