EU's Kallas calls global chaos 'good time to start drinking'

WISE NEWS PRESS / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reportedly remarked that the current state of global affairs might be a "good moment to start drinking" during a private parliamentary meeting on Wednesday.

The candid comment, made during a closed-door session with political group leaders, underscores the growing anxiety within Brussels over a rapidly destabilizing international landscape. According to participants cited by Politico, Kallas—who noted she does not typically consume much alcohol—suggested that the sheer volume of concurrent global crises might force a change in her habits as she coordinates policy for the 27-member bloc.

Somber outlook for the new year

The meeting, which began with traditional New Year’s greetings, quickly shifted toward a grim consensus that 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptionally difficult year. While Kallas’s remark was delivered with a touch of dark humor, those present indicated it accurately reflected the weight of the geopolitical challenges currently facing the European Union.

The policy chief emphasized that the intersection of multiple conflicts has turned European security into an immediate and critical priority. Discussions reportedly touched upon the bloc's need for a unified stance as traditional diplomatic norms face increasing pressure from both regional conflicts and shifts in global leadership.

Escalating international tensions

Kallas’s assessment coincides with a series of high-stakes diplomatic movements in Washington. At the same time as the Brussels meeting, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland were holding talks with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. These discussions come amid lingering concerns in Europe regarding US territorial interests and the future of Arctic security.

Beyond the Atlantic relationship, Brussels is grappling with a "perfect storm" of regional instabilities. The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine continue to strain EU resources and diplomatic cohesion. Simultaneously, mass protests against the regime in Iran and the recent US military operations in Venezuela have added layers of complexity to the EU's strategic planning.

Strategic autonomy and the next steps

As the EU’s top diplomat, Kallas is tasked with navigating these crises while maintaining a delicate balance among the 27 member states. The closed-door meeting highlighted the urgent need for what officials call "geopolitical maturity," as the Union attempts to define its role in a world increasingly characterized by power politics.

For now, the focus remains on crisis management and the reinforcement of European defense frameworks. However, as Kallas’s reported comments suggest, the path ahead for the Union’s foreign policy is fraught with more obstacles than the leadership had initially anticipated for the start of the year.

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