Kaja Kallas, Estonia's prime minister, joked at a closed European Parliament meeting that the world looked so bleak it "might be a good moment" to start drinking — a wry comment reflecting concern over multiple crises. She cited Ukraine, Gaza, reported US activity in Venezuela and protests in Iran, and warned the EU must remain clear‑headed while coordinating policy across 27 member states. Kallas also indicated a new EU sanctions package on Iran could be ready by Jan. 29, though some countries reportedly oppose listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
Kaja Kallas Jokes World Is So Dire 'It Might Be a Good Moment' To Start Drinking — Urges EU To Stay Clear‑Headed
Kaja Kallas - Mohamed Hossam/EPA/Shutterstock
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told leaders at a closed meeting of the European Parliament's Conference of Presidents that the state of global affairs felt so bleak it might be "a good moment" to start drinking — a quip that underlined the gravity of multiple crises confronting Europe.
A Stark Assessment From A Closed Meeting
Speaking behind closed doors, Ms Kallas — who attended the gathering of MEPs who lead the parliament's political groups — said she was not much of a drinker but that the turbulent international situation could change that. The remark was reported by Politico; two people in the room told the publication they heard the comment, and the Telegraph said it had approached her office for comment.
Multiple Crises On The Agenda
Ms Kallas highlighted a series of pressing international issues that occupied her attention: the continuing war in Ukraine, renewed fighting in Gaza, reported US operations in Venezuela and widespread protests in Iran. Those developments, she and others said, move quickly and pose a challenge to the EU, which must coordinate policy across 27 member states and therefore tends to act more slowly.
Sources described the atmosphere in the room as bleak. The mood was intensified by the diplomatic sensitivity around Greenland — an autonomous territory of Denmark — at a time when Denmark's foreign minister was meeting US officials about past US comments on Greenland.
The meeting also took place amid signs that Europe has been sidelined from some Ukraine peace discussions after former US President Donald Trump said he believed Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, rather than Russia's Vladimir Putin, was blocking a settlement.
Dry Humour, But A Clear Warning
The quip prompted light-hearted responses from some attendees. Latvia's foreign minister joked on social media about a local gin, and a Finnish MEP suggested a strong Finnish beer "if you really have to." Ms Kallas, however, stressed the opposite: that European leaders must remain clear‑headed because she did not expect improvements in the near term.
Potential New Sanctions On Iran
Ms Kallas signalled that the EU was preparing a fresh sanctions package against Iran under the bloc's human rights sanctions regime. Reports say a proposal — expanding existing asset freezes and travel bans — was expected in time for an EU foreign ministers' meeting on Jan. 29 and could be circulated to member states imminently.
She told MEPs that some governments were resisting a push to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, a measure the European Parliament has urged. Media reports have identified Italy and France among those reportedly hesitant, though Ms Kallas did not name specific countries in the meeting.
Bottom line: The exchange combined dark humour with a sober message: EU leaders must coordinate closely and keep a clear head while navigating fast-moving global crises and preparing possible new measures, including sanctions on Iran.
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