German Columnist Questions Kallas's Role as Nordic Leaders Speak to Putin

A Berliner Zeitung columnist has questioned the influence of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, arguing that direct contacts between Nordic leaders and Moscow have exposed weaknesses in Europe's diplomatic leadership.

The criticism comes from journalist Nicolas Butylin in an opinion column reported by Samnytt. It is his assessment, not a finding by an EU institution or an agreed position of European governments.

Butylin focuses on a telephone conversation between Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He writes that Kallas did not take part and asks who can credibly speak for Europe.

Stubb and Støre said they were speaking for their own countries, not for Europe as a whole, according to the Norwegian prime minister's office cited in the report.

The columnist also points to Kallas's acknowledgement in an interview with Finnish broadcaster Yle that the EU cannot currently act as a fully fledged mediator between Ukraine and Russia because it supports Ukraine.

Butylin interprets that position as a diplomatic limitation. He contrasts it with Stubb's contacts across opposing sides. Those comparisons are arguments in the column, not independent proof that Kallas has no influence.

Kallas has held the EU foreign policy post since December 2024, after serving as Estonia's prime minister. The debate reflects a wider dispute over whether Europe's support for Ukraine should be accompanied by more direct contacts with Moscow.

This report is an English adaptation of Samnytt's Swedish reporting published on 5 November 2026.