EU warned: Russian threat could test defence by 2028
Intelligence services, as stated by the EU's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, warn of a possible Russian attack starting in 2028. "Russia could test EU’s readiness to defend itself in three to five years," said the former Prime Minister of Estonia during an event organised by the European Defence Agency in Brussels.
Kallas added that the European Union must not only allocate resources to prevent war but also prepare for it. "Europe's failure to invest in military capabilities also sends a dangerous signal to the aggressor," Kallas emphasised. "Weakness invites them in," she added.
Ukraine gives Europe time
"US President Donald Trump is right in saying that Europeans do not allocate enough resources for defence," writes FAZ. Last year, EU member states spent an average of 1.9% of their GDP on defence, while Russia allocated 9% for this purpose.
Kallas did not provide details about Russia's possible plans but expressed the opinion that Ukraine, by conducting a defensive war against Russia, still gives the EU time.
Regarding EU support for Ukraine, Kallas announced that she is currently working on the 16th sanction package against Russia and intends to push for more efficient use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit. The value of military aid provided by EU countries so far is estimated at almost 50 billion euros. She also added that by the end of next month, 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained.
"Realist" on Russia
In her speech at the annual conference of the European Defence Agency (EDA), Kallas emphasised that the Russian economy operates in wartime mode, and the Kremlin allocates one-third of its budget to armaments – three times more than before the war. "He shows no sign of stopping or slowing down," she added.
Kallas, who is considered a strong advocate of a tough policy towards Russia, stated that she is not a "Russia-hawk" but a "realist" on Russia. She stressed that the Union tried for too long to offer Moscow alternatives, hoping they would choose cooperation and prosperity, but Russia is focused on imperial ambitions and increased military production.
According to her assessment, Russia is capable of producing more weapons and ammunition in three months than the EU can in a year, which is why the Union must strengthen its defence capabilities.
