European diplomats consider the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas to be "too direct, frank and straightforward", Foreign Policy magazine reported, citing its sources.
The article notes that over time "Kalas's reputation as an anti-Russian hawk deprived her" of the opportunity to lead NATO, after which she was offered an alternative in the form of the post of head of European diplomacy. “But the straightforwardness that allowed the former Estonian leader to rise to the top is not helping her in her new role“, the publication writes.
“We expect her to be more diplomatic“, the publication quotes an unnamed European diplomat. Another source in European foreign policy circles noted that they consider Kallas “more of a policeman than a diplomat“. “Her day begins and ends with Russia“, the source said.
The magazine emphasizes that Kallas's tendency to “say what's on her mind“ has complicated relations with the Trump administration and irritated other major powers such as India and China“. Foreign Policy notes that Kallas “has failed to build consensus“ on the approach of European countries to resolve the situation in the Gaza Strip and “seems to have been sidelined“ on issues relating to Ukraine.