Kallas warns EU defence readiness target of 2030 may be too late

The European Union must accelerate efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities as security threats facing Europe intensify, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned.

Speaking to Le Soir, Kallas said the bloc’s target of achieving full defence readiness by 2030 could come too late as Russia continues to increase tensions and carry out what she described as hybrid attacks against EU member states.

“We are assessing the state of defence readiness by 2030, and it seems to me that this date is already too late,” said Kallas.

She said she had proposed establishing a high-level expert group to identify measures that could accelerate Europe’s defence preparations. However, the initiative has faced opposition from several EU member states.

Kallas said she remained committed to speeding up the bloc’s preparations despite the resistance.

“I am not giving up on this goal: we need to act faster,” Kallas emphasised.