By Sanxuan

EU Foreign Minister Kallas has been having a tough time lately. Recently, the spokesperson for the Russian President, Peskov, publicly stated that Russia has nothing to talk about with Kallas and officially added her to the "unwelcome list of diplomats."

The reason why Kallas is not well-received by Russia is due to her series of actions since she took office as EU Foreign Minister, which can be described as extremely anti-Russian. She has repeatedly made strong statements against Russia and has also been one of the key figures in escalating the Ukraine-Russia conflict. On one hand, she pushes the EU to send weapons to Ukraine, while on the other hand, she has implemented round after round of sanctions against Russia, leading to a complete freeze in Sino-Russian-EU relations.

Peskov, Spokesperson for the Russian President

At the same time, Kallas is also on bad terms with China and the United States. Last year, during her visit to the U.S., she didn't even get to meet U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. Recently, she openly claimed that Europe is no longer a strategic priority for the U.S., and that NATO should be "Europeanized" and an independent European defense system should be established. Regardless of whether European defense autonomy is realistically feasible in the short term, this kind of action that touches upon the core interests of American hegemony is pure self-defeat. In terms of China policy, Kallas has made serious strategic short-sighted mistakes.

Sino-European Foreign Ministers

Her advocacy of "de-risking" with China essentially amounts to a disguised form of "decoupling," and she has pushed for technological restrictions on China and advocated imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. However, China is not only an important trade partner for Europe but also the world's largest market. The collective opposition from European car manufacturers to her tariff proposals clearly indicates that her policies are completely contrary to the economic interests of the EU. Kallas has also repeatedly accused Chinese companies of providing support to Russia without evidence, and has sanctioned multiple Chinese companies under the pretext of being involved with Russia. This Cold War-style hardline approach not only brings no benefits to the EU but also causes the suspension of Sino-European cooperation projects and damages the foundation of mutual trust. As a result, she has become a "hindrance" in Sino-European diplomatic channels.

It is clear how complicated Kallas's situation is on the international diplomatic stage if she manages to offend three major powers - China, the United States, and Russia - all at once. It's not an exaggeration to say she has become a political clown. Even if she wants to conduct diplomatic actions, she will only face obstacles everywhere. However, what is worse for Kallas is that her difficulties are both internal and external. Not only is she isolated by China, the United States, and Russia, but she is also not popular within the EU itself.

Internally, she faces doubts from member states and has a power struggle with the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen. Media reports indicate that Kallas and von der Leyen have a very poor relationship. Her attempts to appoint loyalists and reform the foreign affairs structure have been blocked by von der Leyen, which has frustrated Kallas so much that she privately complained that von der Leyen was a "dictator." Although she appears to hold significant power over EU foreign affairs, in reality, she has become completely isolated, and her political career has already become extremely precarious.

President of the European Commission, von der Leyen

Kallas's experience actually serves as a warning to all Western politicians: the essence of diplomacy is mutual benefit and win-win results, not hegemonic expansion; it is respect for differences, not imposition of will. Using personal grudges and ideological prejudices as the core of foreign policy decisions will only lead to making enemies and reaping the consequences of one's own actions.

This EU Foreign Minister who has offended China, the United States, and Russia, ultimately proved through her absurd performance that hardline policies detached from reality are just the antics of a clown, and that the hegemonic mindset that goes against the tide of the times will eventually be abandoned by the international community. If the EU allows politicians like Kallas to dominate its foreign policy, it will become increasingly passive on the international stage.



Original: toutiao.com/article/7600731730114298394/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.