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The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, speaking at the European Parliament. REUTERS
Kallas Agrees with Trump: 'The EU Must Spend More on Defence'

Kallas Agrees with Trump: 'The EU Must Spend More on Defence'

The head of European diplomacy warns that the bloc must prepare 'urgently', as Russia could attack within five years.

Olatz Hernández

Miércoles, 22 de enero 2025, 12:50

The proximity of the war in Ukraine is pressing the European Union to increase its defence spending. Just days after Donald Trump criticised Spain for not allocating enough resources to military expenditure, the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, stated that the bloc must accelerate its investments in this field, agreeing with the US president. 'Weakness is an invitation. We must send a message that we are committed to European defence,' the Estonian politician emphasised in a speech at the European Defence Agency.

Russia allocates about a third of its budget to military spending and 'in three months can produce more weapons than we can in a year,' Kallas warned. Moscow 'is an existential threat' to the EU, which 'must send a message to Russia and also to China, that using aggression as a tool can never be profitable.' She stressed the urgency of conveying this message to the Kremlin, as Europe is already the target of hybrid attacks - with sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns... - and could face an attack on European soil within three to five years. 'There are reports warning that Russia might try to test European defence capabilities in that timeframe,' she added.

In the same vein, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also highlighted the need to increase defence investment before the European Parliament on Tuesday and called for 'not underestimating those who demand 5% of GDP to be spent on armaments.' The European Commission is already working on a proposal regarding European defence, and Kallas urges a prompt response, 'without hesitation.' 'We need to integrate the industry and boost the interoperability of our armies. We do not need a European navy, but twenty-seven that can work together to protect Europe.'

Much of European defence is at stake in Ukraine, where Kyiv 'is buying time for us.' Sanctions on Moscow and the freezing of Russian assets have dealt a severe blow to its economy, and 'every day that passes, the cost of maintaining the war must rise,' Kallas pointed out, in a call to member states to renew sanctions on the Kremlin, which expire on the 31st of this month. 'Putin only understands the language of force. Together we are stronger,' she insisted.

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todoalicante Kallas Agrees with Trump: 'The EU Must Spend More on Defence'