Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that Russia poses an existential threat to the European Union’s security and that the only path to address that is to boost spending on defence, noting that Europe had for too long shown Russia alternatives.
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, during a speech at the annual conference of the European Defence Agency (EDA), stated,
“Russia poses an existential threat to our security today, tomorrow and for as long as we underinvest in our defence.”
“People say I’m a ‘Russia hawk’. I think I’m simply realistic about Russia,”
Kallas expressed.
He further said.
“Time is not on Russia’s side. But it’s not necessarily on ours either. Because we are not yet doing enough. There should be no doubt in any of our minds that we must spend more to prevent war. But we also need to prepare for war.”
How does Kaja Kallas view Russia’s threat to the European Union (EU)?
Since her appointment, Kaja Kallas has expressed strong sentiments toward Russia, if not the sole high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and security concerns within the European continent.
How does Kallas propose preparing for potential conflicts?
She has urged increased defence spending from EU members, understanding well that a large number of countries do not achieve the recommended NATO target of 2% of GDP in their respective defence budgets. Kallas noted that without significant investment in defence, Europe risks being unprepared for potential conflicts with Russia.
Why is Kallas referred to as a ‘Russia hawk’?
Though she is often called a “Russia hawk,” Kallas calls her approach pragmatic. She is clear about the difficulty of working with Russia while also highlighting the need for an integrated response by the EU if it wants to be able to confront Russia.
Kallas has addressed not only Russian cyberattacks but also the spectrum of hybrid threats used by Russia, from disinformation to destabilization efforts in various member states. She calls for an integrated approach, combining military preparedness with resistance against such hybrid tactics.
