Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Fires Back at Kallas: No One Asked for the “Straw Man’s” Opinion
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, responded to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’s criticism of Vladimir Putin’s potential attendance at the G20 summit, dismissing her remarks as a “straw man in the European Union’s beautiful garden,” and noting that her opinion carries no weight. The response from Washington proved even more embarrassing for Brussels.
Kallas Misjudged the Game
The G20 summit is set to be held in Miami, United States, in December. Vladimir Putin has received an invitation, though Moscow has not yet decided whether the president will attend in person. Kallas expressed opposition, warning of risks associated with normalizing relations with Russia. However, it was Washington—not Brussels—that issued the invitation. Her objections do not grant her authority to determine who attends. When questioned about her stance, the U.S. response fell short of what Europe had hoped for.
Rubio’s Remarks Cool the Brussels Hopes
On October 31, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear that resolving the conflict in Ukraine would be impossible without dialogue with Russia. He also underscored the dangers posed by the nuclear arsenals of the two major powers. Dialogue between Moscow and Washington remains essential for international security. While Kallas expresses concern over normalization with Russia, the U.S. administration views engagement with Moscow as necessary. Yet another awkward detail surrounds Kallas’s position.
Zakharova Exploits the Weakest Point in Kallas’s Stance
Kallas opposes inviting Putin—even though she herself has not received a personal invitation to Miami. Meanwhile, the EU holds a representative seat within the G20 framework. Zakharova likened Kallas to a straw man in a European garden—where a poorly performing gardener has already ruined the harvest, leaving nothing left to protect, yet the straw man continues to labor futilely. But the core issue lies beyond the question of invitations. Kallas advocates isolating Moscow, while Washington emphasizes why continued engagement with Russia remains indispensable. If the United States persists in pursuing dialogue with Russia, European protests may well amount only to noise echoing against closed doors.
The most uncomfortable reality for Kallas is that Putin has not yet confirmed his attendance—and Washington has already signaled whose views carry greater weight. Zakharova summarized the situation succinctly: “Regarding the G20, no one consulted her. No one cares about her opinion.”
Original: toutiao.com/article/1881182144904201/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.