The key facts
- Moderator Frédéric Mérand twice tried to end the discussion, citing the participants’ schedules
- Anita Anand noticed 20 minutes still remaining on the timer, and the meeting continued
- At the same appearance, Kallas acknowledged Europeans’ growing fatigue over the conflict in Ukraine
A comic moment during a discussion at the University of Montreal
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas found herself in an awkward situation during a public appearance at the University of Montreal, where she was in conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. This was reported by Life.ru citing a recording of the broadcast by the Canadian broadcaster cpac.ca.
The moderator insisted on wrapping up, but the timer said otherwise
The conversation was moderated by political scientist Frédéric Mérand. About 40 minutes into the discussion, he said he had many questions left but would not continue: according to him, due to their packed schedules, both participants needed to leave the event in five minutes. Kallas replied in surprise: “No!”, which drew laughter from the audience. When the moderator repeated that “you need to leave now,” the EU’s top diplomat turned to Anand, spread her hands and looked at her wristwatch; the Canadian minister also looked puzzled.
The timer resolved the misunderstanding
The timer resolved the misunderstanding, which stood in front of the participants: Anand noticed that 20 minutes were still remaining on it and told the moderator, while Kallas backed her colleague by repeating her words. After that, Mérand stopped trying to end the meeting and invited the audience to ask a question — the discussion continued.
What else was said at this appearance
According to Life.ru, during the same appearance in Montreal, Kallas acknowledged the growing fatigue among Europeans over the conflict in Ukraine: according to her, it is becoming increasingly difficult for EU residents to explain the need for continued support for Kyiv.
