BRUSSELS — European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas privately told lawmakers that the current state of the world meant it might be a “good moment” to start drinking, according to reporting by Politico.
Kallas, addressing leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament, noted that while she is not much of a drinker, the barrage of global crises could make now the ideal time to take up the habit, sources familiar with the meeting told Politico.
The remark came during a session of the Conference of Presidents — the gathering of the Parliament’s group leaders — just as members were exchanging New Year’s greetings that quickly turned somber due to unfolding events around the globe.
Politico reports that the dry humor landed amid heightened European concerns over a range of flashpoints: fears that U.S. President Donald Trump might push to annex or seize control of Greenland amid ongoing Arctic tensions, mass protests against Iran’s Islamist regime (which has reportedly led to hundreds of deaths in the crackdown), the continuing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
As the EU’s top diplomat — who coordinates the bloc’s foreign and security policy on behalf of the 27 member states and the European Commission — Kallas has been at the center of these issues. In one of her recent comments to Politico, she indicated readiness to push for new sanctions on Iran in response to the regime’s brutal response to demonstrations.
Kallas’ spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Politico noted. The anecdote highlights the unusually candid — and darkly humorous — tone the former Estonian prime minister has brought to the role since taking office in late 2024.
