Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis welcomed the Estonian Prime Minister’s nomination on Friday Kaja Kallas as the new head of European Union foreign policy.
The appointment represents a recognition of the positions of the Baltic republics and other countries on NATO’s eastern flank, which have taken a tough stance toward Russia, Landsbergis said.
“She has never made a secret of her position. She has spoken out clearly about values ​​that are very important to us,” Landsbergis said in Vilnius, according to the BNS news agency.
EU leaders chose Kallas as the new foreign policy chief on Thursday, following European Parliament elections earlier this month.
The three Baltic republics have been among Ukraine’s most ardent supporters in its fight against the Russian invasion. Many in the region believe that Russian success in Ukraine could lead to a similar attack on their independence.
The Kremlin reacted negatively to the appointment, saying it would worsen already poor relations with the EU.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Kallas as “known to [Russia] “for her completely unacceptable and sometimes extremely Russophobic comments.”
According to Peskov, Kallas had also not stood out for her diplomatic skills until now, according to Russian news agencies.
