EditSlovak PM Fico demands ouster of EU foreign policy chief Kallas
His call echoes broader criticisms that the Estonian is a "one-trick pony," overly obsessed with Russia at the expense of other global priorities
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly called for the replacement of Kaja Kallas as the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, labelling her leadership a hindrance to the bloc’s global effectiveness and accusing it of being mired in a “simplistic anti-Russian agenda.”
In a televised interview with Slovakia’s TA3 channel on 11 January, Fico declared, “I will say this for the first time and out loud: we must replace the High Representative of the European Union for International Policy, Ms. Kallas.” He argued that the EU is facing an “unprecedented crisis” and has lost its ability to formulate coherent responses to international issues, reducing its role to one of reflexive hostility toward Russia without viable solutions.
THE EU MAY BE STRONG AGAINST RUSSIA AND THE USA, BUT NOT WITH COMMISSIONER K. KALLAS, WHO IS A DISGRACEFUL FAILURE. pic.twitter.com/PCPiisaza5
— Robert Fico đ¸đ° (@RobertFicoSVK) January 11, 2026
Fico, a vocal critic of EU sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, urged the bloc to “come to its senses” and appoint a more pragmatic diplomat to restore Europe’s standing as a global superpower.
Fico’s remarks underscore deep divisions within the EU over foreign policy, particularly regarding Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Slovakia, under Fico’s leadership since his return to power in 2023, has frequently blocked or delayed consensus on anti-Russia measures, securing concessions on energy security. Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister appointed to the EU role in late 2024, is known for her hawkish stance against Moscow, shaped by Estonia’s history under Soviet occupation – her family was deported to Siberia in 1949.
She has advocated for strong support for Ukraine, including collective ammunition purchases and defence bonds, earning accolades like the 2024 Walther Rathenau Prize for her leadership against Russian aggression.
However, Fico’s call echoes broader criticisms that Kallas is a “one-trick pony,” overly obsessed with Russia at the expense of other global priorities. Diplomats and analysts have accused her of prioritizing the Ukraine conflict while neglecting escalating issues in the Middle East, China-U.S. tensions, migration crises, and EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.
One EU diplomat described her approach as “more cop than diplomat,” noting that her day “starts and ends with Russia,” which has strained relations with non-Western powers like India and China.
Indian former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal called her appointment unqualified, citing “anti-Russian paranoia” that contributes to Europe’s “geopolitical drift.”
Critics also point to perceived double standards in EU policy under Kallas’s influence. While the bloc has imposed harsh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, it has been inconsistent on Israel’s actions in Gaza, which Fico highlighted as evidence of selective application of international law.
European media, once supportive, have criticized her for a lack of professionalism and reluctance to engage in dialogue, suggesting she still acts like a national leader rather than a consensus-builder.
Pro-Russian narratives have amplified these views, portraying Kallas as “hysterically hating Russia” and risking escalation toward broader conflict.
Fico and Kallas have clashed before. When Kallas condemned his participation in Moscowâs Victory Day parade on 9 May – an event largely shunned by Western leaders amid Russiaâs ongoing war in Ukraine – Fico fired back sharply: âAs a high-ranking official of the European Commission, you have no right to criticize the sovereign prime minister of a sovereign country who is paying tribute to the memory of the Soviet Red Army soldiers who liberated Slovakia from fascism.â
Kallas has not publicly responded to Fico’s comments.
Kallas supporters argue her focus on Russia is justified given the ongoing invasion, now in its fourth year, and the need for European unity against authoritarian threats.
The High Representative position, held by Kallas since December 2024, requires consensus among EU leaders for any change, making Fico’s proposal unlikely without broader support. Yet, it highlights fractures in the bloc: while Baltic and Eastern European states back Kallas’s tough line, other countries push for pragmatism toward Moscow.
Who will engage with Putin?
Amid ongoing efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly emphasised the necessity of direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that Europe must re-engage with Moscow to avoid being sidelined in negotiations led primarily by the United States. In December 2025, Macron stated that if U.S.-led talks fail to secure a robust and lasting peace with adequate security guarantees, Europeans should find ways to “re-engage in a fulsome dialogue with Russia, in complete transparency” and in association with Ukraine, describing it as becoming “useful again to speak to Vladimir Putin.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni explicitly endorsed Macron’s position during her traditional New Year’s press conference on 9 January, declaring, “I think Macron is right on this. I believe the time has come for Europe to also speak with Russia.” To ensure a unified and effective approach, Meloni advocated for the appointment of a single EU special envoy to engage directly with Putin, warning that fragmented or “disorderly” negotiations with “too many voices” would limit Europe’s influence and potentially play into Moscow’s hands.
One thing is clear: while Kallas is formally authorized to represent the European Union on the international stage, EU leaders would hardly entrust her with the delicate task of serving as their dedicated special envoy for direct, pragmatic engagement with Putin.
With agencies.
Caption: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas attends a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) following their meeting at the New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, Egypt, 08 January 2026. The EU top diplomatâs visit to Egypt, from 08 to 10 January, aims to reinforce a relationship the EU views as vital for securing regional stability and brokering ceasefires across the Middle East. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM
Updated: January 12, 2026 - 17:38
