Kaja Kallas

Kaja Kallas in 2021

Kaja Kallas (born 18 June 1977) is an Estonian politician who currently serves as Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. She previously served as the 19th Prime Minister of Estonia between 26 January 2021 and 23 July 2024.

Quotes

2022

• Russia's widespread aggression (against Ukraine) is a threat to the entire world and to all NATO countries, and NATO consultations on strengthening the security of the Allies must be initiated to implement additional measures for ensuring the defense of NATO Allies. The most effective response to Russia's aggression is unity. I assure all the people of Estonia that there is no direct military threat to Estonia and that the situation in Estonia and at our external border is calm.
  • Cited in: "The Estonian Government requests consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty", valitsus.ee, 24 February 2022.

• If people admire dictators, there is no moral obstacle to becoming one or submitting to one. If people’s minds and eyes are shut before past atrocities, there are no limits to committing new ones in the future.
  • Direct quote from speech: Prime Minister Kaja Kallas at Paasikivi Seura - “The Battle of Our Time”, valitsus.ee, 15 November 2022.

16th Berlin Speech on Freedom (25 April 2022)

16th Berlin Speech on Freedom by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia valitsus.ee

• When we look at Russia we see darkness – fear is keeping its society together. And we see thousands fleeing the country. We know this fear. Fear of secret police who seize people in the middle of the night or arrest them only for holding up placards in public squares, fear of the constant distrust, fear to express your opinion, fear of the atrocities that might follow. Tens of thousands of Estonians fled this same tyranny after World War Two.
• Gas might be expensive, but freedom is priceless.
• What is our neighbor’s problem today will be our problem tomorrow. We are in danger, when our neighbor’s house is on fire.
• If we do everything to help Ukraine, there will be no 11-year-olds for whom the air of freedom is something they only experience from a distance.

2023

• Neutrality is not a worldview, neutrality is indifference.
  • Direct quote from speech: Speech by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on the eve of the 105th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, valitsus.ee, 23 February 2023.

• If someone talks about Russia and Ukraine agreeing on a peace settlement and giving away some territory, I explain that after World War II, your side of the Iron Curtain had peace, which meant that you built up your countries and the prosperity of your peoples. On our side of the Iron Curtain, we had mass deportations, killings, and our culture and language were suppressed. So even if there is some kind of an agreement, without accountability it doesn’t mean that the human suffering will stop.
  • Direct quote from interview: Opinion: Eastern Europe’s Margaret Thatcher speaks out on the war in Ukraine with Lally Weymouth for The Washington Post, 26 June 2023.

• It is very difficult to innovate by command. Suppressive fear and the need to fulfill artificial plans drown out sustainability and competitiveness. Freedom is worth fighting for because it generates prosperity and security.
  • Direct quote from speech: Remarks by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the opening of the 8th Open Government Partnership Global Summit, valitsus.ee, 06 September 2023.

2024

• When they annexed Crimea, it was the “little green men.” They were embarrassed that it's Russian soldiers. They tried to hide it, they were afraid of the Western reaction. Because the Western reaction was weak at the time, they made a mental note that they can do this because nothing happens. So if they can attack Ukraine, get away with no punishment, no accountability, then the next step could be NATO.
  • Direct quote from interview with Kyiv Independent: Estonian PM: ‘Our taxpayers shouldn’t pay for damages caused by Russia’, kyivindependent.com, 13 January 2024

• Russia may believe that issuing a fictitious arrest warrant will silence Estonia. I refuse to be silenced — I will continue to vocally support Ukraine and advocate for the strengthening of European defenses.
  • Cited in Russia puts PM Kaja Kallas of NATO member Estonia on criminal wanted list, cbc.ca, 13 February 2024

• I see this war ending with Russia going back to Russia.
  • Direct quote from interview with PBS: 'Statements from United States are making us worried': Estonian leader reacts to Trump comments, pbs.org, 16 February 2024

• When one aggression pays off, it's an incentive to commit others.
  • Direct quote from interview with Le Monde: Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas: 'We must provide more weapons to Ukraine', lemonde.fr, 27 February 2024

• Defense is not escalation.
  • Cited in: Estonian leader Kaja Kallas urges West to stand up to Russian intimidation, as 'defence is not escalation', news.sky.com, 28 February 2024