EU's Kallas: Middle East chaos 'direct consequence' of eroded international law

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas delivered a stark assessment of global instability Thursday, asserting that the escalating conflict in the Middle East stems directly from the breakdown of international legal norms. Speaking at the University of Munich in Switzerland, Kallas traced the current crisis to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which she argued set a dangerous precedent for nations to act with impunity.

Russian invasion triggered global lawlessness

"Today, the chaos we see around us in the Middle East is a direct consequence of the erosion of international law," Kallas declared in her address. "It started when Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, invaded its neighbour, with impunity and a good measure of cynicism." She argued that Moscow's war on Ukraine "sent a signal around the world that there is no accountability for one's actions; that the rulebook has been thrown out the window." The EU official warned that without restoring international law and accountability, the world is "doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos."

China exploiting global power vacuum

Kallas expanded her critique to include China, asserting that Beijing is capitalizing on the current "erosion of rules" to advance its long-term strategic ambitions. "It is expanding its nuclear stockpile faster than anyone else. With impressive strategic patience, China has been creating dependencies around the world, threatening countries in the East and South China seas, bankrolling Russia's war against Ukraine and reimagining the world order in its own image," she stated. The EU's top diplomat warned that China's actions pose risks to the European economic model and undermine "the multilateral system that has ensured that rules actually rule."

US policy shift rocks transatlantic relations

Kallas also addressed the fundamental transformation in American foreign policy under President Donald Trump, describing it in terms ranging from "realignment" to "rupture." "The shift in U.S. foreign policy has already rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world. But the impact on the international order is seismic," she observed. The EU official pointed to an emerging "paradigm shift" toward a new world order "characterized by competition and coercive power politics; a world order dominated by a handful of military powers who aim to establish and secure spheres of influence." Her remarks underscore European anxiety about navigating a multipolar world where traditional alliances and international norms face unprecedented challenges.