Top diplomat: EU must prepare to defend itself "alone if needed" against Russia

The European Union must significantly increase its defence spending to "prepare for the worst" and defend itself "alone if needed" against a potential Russian threat, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on January 22. 

Speaking at the European Defence Agency's annual conference in Brussels, Kallas cited intelligence suggesting that Russia could test the EU’s defence capabilities within three to five years, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"Russia can, in three months, produce more weapons and ammunition than the 27-country bloc collectively can in 12 months," Kallas warned, adding that the EU needs at least €500 billion over the next decade to remain competitive in defence. So far, only €13 billion has been allocated in the current long-term budget, which represents 1.2% of the total.

Kallas stressed the need for member states and private sector investment, stating, "We must spend more than 1%." While EU countries collectively spent an average of 1.9% of GDP on defence last year, Russia's spending was at 9%.

Lithuania has pledged to increase its defence budget to between 5% and 6% of GDP by 2026, but other major economies, such as Italy and Spain, still fall short of NATO’s 2% target.

Defence investment is vital, Kallas argued, as "defence is a highly skilled, highly intensive industry which requires money, people and time. We have money and people, but we don't have time. Ukraine is buying us time."

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed Kallas’ sentiments earlier this week, urging Europe to "wake up" and reduce its dependence on the United States for security. "What will we do in Europe tomorrow if our American ally withdraws its warships from the Mediterranean?" he asked.

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius also called for a "Big Bang approach" to defence production, emphasizing the need for interoperable weapons systems and collaborative projects such as the air defence shield and cyber shield.

"The EU's message to the US is clear. We must do more for our own defence and shoulder a fair share of responsibility for Europe's security," Kallas concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev