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Middle east chaos stems from erosion in international law, EU's kallas says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on March 5, 2026 in Zurich that growing unilateralism—especially from Russia, China and the U.S.—is eroding international law, fostering turmoil in the Middle East and undermining global order.
EU’s Kallas Links Middle East Chaos to Breakdown in International Law and Order
Analysis of Kaja Kallas’s Speech on International Law and Global Order
ZURICH, March 5 (Reuters) - The current turmoil in the Middle East is a direct result of the erosion in international law, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.
Unilateral Actions by Major Powers
In a speech at the University of Zurich, Kallas said the international order has been undermined by major powers acting unilaterally, pointing the finger particularly at Russia, but also directing criticism at China and the United States.
Impact of Russia’s Actions
"Today, the chaos we see around us in the Middle East is a direct consequence of the erosion of international law," she said, arguing that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had encouraged others to act with impunity.
China’s Influence in the Asia-Pacific
China, she said, was also taking advantage of the erosion of international rules to extend its influence in the Asia-Pacific region and put pressure on Europe's economies.
The Need to Restore International Law
"Without restoring international law, together with accountability, we are doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos," Kallas argued.
United States and the Transatlantic Relationship
Foreign Policy Shifts
Turning to the United States, she said Washington's foreign policy shift had "rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world," and calling its impact on the international order "seismic."
Emergence of a New World Order
Characteristics of the New Order
"The current direction is a new world order characterised 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," Kallas said.
Historical Context: Churchill’s Legacy
Kallas was delivering the Churchill Special Lecture some 80 years after Britain's wartime leader Winston Churchill spoke at the University and called for the building of a "United States of Europe" following the devastation of World War Two.
(Reporting by Dave Graham; editing by James Mackenzie)
Key Takeaways
- •Kallas linked the current Middle East chaos to a breakdown in the international legal order, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and unilateral actions by major powers.
- •She criticized China’s opportunistic expansion in Asia‑Pacific and faulted the U.S. for destabilizing the transatlantic relationship, calling today’s world order coercive and sphere‑driven.
- •She underscored the necessity of restoring international law and accountability to prevent continued disruption and conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions about Middle East chaos stems from erosion in international law, EU's Kallas says
1What does EU's Kaja Kallas attribute Middle East chaos to?
Kaja Kallas attributes the current turmoil in the Middle East to the erosion of international law and unilateral actions by major powers.
2Which countries did Kaja Kallas criticize for undermining international law?
Kallas specifically criticized Russia, China, and the United States for undermining international law and acting unilaterally.
3How has Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affected global order according to Kallas?
She argued that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine encouraged others to disregard international law, worsening global instability.
4What impact does China have on the international order, as per Kallas?
Kallas claimed China takes advantage of eroding rules to expand influence in the Asia-Pacific and pressure Europe's economies.
5How did Kallas describe the current direction of world order?
Kallas described the new world order as one dominated by competition, coercive power politics, and military powers establishing spheres of influence.
