EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas wants Europe to accelerate the pace of defence investment after European intelligence indicated that Russia is planning fresh subversion and hybrid attacks.
“Europe needs to rearm more quickly and more effectively to meet our target of 2030,” Kallas told reporters on Monday at the EU Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
Kallas accused Russia of “sustained acts of sabotage, arson and airspace violations” across the continent, saying Moscow plans to intimidate nations into halting their military support for Ukraine.
The European Commission’s Vice President believes Russia “is not interested in peace at all”, stressing that the EU will sustain its sanctions and impose additional measures.
Moscow has repeatedly rejected allegations of cyberattacks and hybrid threats. President Vladimir Putin called the claims “complete nonsense” while speaking in St. Petersburg last Friday.
The EU Council, meanwhile, has agreed to strengthen the EU Space Threat Response Architecture to respond to “increased irresponsible and hostile behaviour in the space domain.”
The framework allows the EU to counter threats to its space and connectivity programmes, member states’ territory, space systems and services, as well as international security and stability.
The upgraded STRA will outline provisions that enable the EU to monitor, alert and take prompt action by constantly deploying relevant Common Foreign and Security Policy tools.
EU’s Kallas urges Europe to rearm quickly, citing Russia threat