The big question mark above Kaja Kalas

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

Since the claim emerged that EU chief diplomat Kaia Kallas compared the Israeli government to the "apartheid system in South Africa", criticism of her has escalated further.

The German Chancellor publicly rebuked him at the last EU summit: "I expressly disagree with such a choice of words and this must be discussed thoroughly," said Friedrich Merz.

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, Armin Laschet, publicly called for her resignation.

Callas herself stated: "I cannot constantly fight against these shadows, against claims of what I allegedly said behind closed doors or did not say. We stand by what I have officially said – that is the European position that I represent."

Israel severed ties with the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaia Kallas, in June 2026. This came after reports emerged that she had compared Israel's treatment of the Palestinian territories to the former South African apartheid regime during a closed-door meeting in Mexico.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has asked her to retract her statements. Kallas has neither denied nor confirmed the comparison, instead emphasizing 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 EU's foreign policy chief has been under fire for months. The reason is, on the one hand, the complexity of European foreign policy, and on the other, her complicated relationship with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The conflict between the Commission President and her High Representative for Foreign Affairs is being openly discussed in Brussels. At an event organised by the Bavarian Representation to the EU, former European Commissioner Günther Oettinger spoke of “energy-consuming mutual insinuations”, adding that under Ursula von der Leyen the Commission is run more “presidentially than collegially”. It is alleged that Callas herself once used the word “dictator”.

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 Kallas 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 only had the position of chief diplomat since 2011. When Kalas took over the position, everyone hoped for a strong voice and clear political positioning. But that is precisely what is being criticized today.

Moreover, its room for maneuver is limited because foreign policy decisions require unanimity, and Europe often only reaches it around the lowest common denominator – if it reaches 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 Kallas, as an Estonian, is warning 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 has changed the balance of power within the EU. Commission President von der Leyen has been adamant in her defense of Ukraine – “as long as necessary.” In the new EU budget, she is asking for billions of euros to strengthen European defense capabilities.

Now Košta has joined in.

So who represents the EU's foreign policy? That is the real problem, one that goes far beyond the current outrage. Ursula von der Leyen wants to lead a geopolitically oriented Commission, which often clashes with Kaja Kallas' interests.

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 there is NATO. In the E3 or E5 formats, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Poland and Italy are trying to quell various global crises.

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

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 responsibility of the European Commission. Another option is to move it to the EU Council, namely Antonio Costa and the representation of the 27 heads of state and government. A third option would be to significantly strengthen the position of Kaja Kalas and the European External Action Service within the EU system. At present, however, all three options are considered unlikely.

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

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