In 2024, member states collectively spent an average of 1.9% of GDP on defence, while Russia was spending 9%, Kaja Kallas told the audience of the European Defence Agency annual conference on Monday.

The European Union must boost its defence spending to "prepare for the worst" and be able to defend itself "alone if needed" against a belligerent Russia, the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday. 

"Many of our national intelligence agencies* are giving us the information that Russia could test the EU's readiness to defend itself in three to five years," Kallas told the audience at the European Defence Agency's annual conference in Brussels. 

She highlighted that Russia can, in three months, produce more weapons and ammunition than the 27-country bloc collectively can in 12 months. "President Trump is right to say that we don't spend enough."  

Over the next decade, the EU will need at least €500bn to remain competitive in defence, and so far, only around €13bn has been earmarked for defence and security in the EU's long-term budget from 2021 to 2027 (representing 1.2% of the total).   

The EU traditionally allocates around 1% of the bloc's GDP (€1.2 trillion) to fund policy priorities ranging from agriculture to socio-economic cohesion between the poorest and richest regions under the long-term budget, which is due to be negotiated again in summer 2025 for the seven-year period starting in 2028, where defence will be a key priority.  

"We need investment from member states and the private sector, but also from the common European budget. We must spend more than 1%," the EU's top diplomat said.

Last year, member states collectively spent an average of 1.9% of GDP on defence. Russia, on the other hand, was spending 9%.  

Lithuania recently announced it would increase its defence spending to between 5% and 6% of GDP from 2026 due to the threat of Russian aggression in the region, but some large economies such as Italy and Spain still fall short of NATO's 2% target.   

"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," Kallas argued.   

"We do not need a European army. We need 27 European armies that are capable and can effectively work together to deter our rivals and defend Europe, preferably with our allies and partners, but alone, if needed," she said.

Similarly, France's President Emmanuel Macron called on Monday for Europe to "wake up" and step up its defence spending to reduce its dependence on the US for security. 

“What will we do in Europe tomorrow if our American ally withdraws its warships from the Mediterranean?" he asked an audience of French military service members at the Army Digital and Cyber Support Command in western France. "If they send their fighter jets from the Atlantic to the Pacific?” 

The EU's top diplomat also echoed the words of the head of the transatlantic alliance, Mark Rutte, who said in December that European citizens would have to make sacrifices such as cuts to their pensions, health, and security systems to pay for increased defence spending and ensure long-term security in Europe.   

The NATO secretary general admitted that while there was no imminent threat to allies, the danger was moving "at full speed" towards the transatlantic alliance. "We are not at war, but certainly not at peace either," he said.     

The newly appointed European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, agreed that a collective approach can make a big difference to Europe's preparedness for military, if not hybrid, threats.  

"We can no longer afford the fragmented approach. We need a real Big Bang approach to increase defence production and acquisition," the former Lithuanian prime minister told the audience at the EDA conference.   

Kubilius stressed the need for interoperable weapon systems, aggregated demand for the defence industry, and more projects of common European interest, such as the air defence shield, the cyber shield, and the Northern and Eastern Border Initiative.  

"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," concluded Kallas.   

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/01/22/eu-must-spend-more-than-1-of-gdp-on-defence-to-prepare-for-the-worst-kallas-says

SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKcFRrsJYWA

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The European Union reiterates its concern at the far-reaching consequences of the Israeli legislation on UNRWA for its operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Gaza. The EU condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct UNRWA’s capacity to operate its mandate.

The EU stresses the role of the UN and its agencies, notably UNRWA, which provides crucial support to the civilian population in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and across the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The essential service delivery to Palestine refugees is even more relevant now when there is a need for swift implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement.

The EU is a firm supporter of the United Nations and the multilateral and rules-based international order [WHAT? THIS IS A U.S. INVENTION THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE UN CHARTER] of which UNRWA is a part. The EU is committed to continuing its support to the Agency to allow it to fulfil its mandate. The EU expects full implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report following the allegations against some UNRWA staff, and condemns the reported use by Hamas of UN facilities belonging to UNRWA as revealed by Israeli hostages. We look forward to further decisive action by the UN to ensure neutrality, accountability and strengthen control and oversight in order to prevent further cases.

Anouar EL ANOUNI

Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/israelpalestine-statement-high-representative-kaja-kallas-entry-force-unrwa-legislation

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         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

HYPOCRISY ISN’T ONE OF THE SINS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

HENCE ITS POPULARITY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS…

PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME AMERICA.

*GUSNOTE: MOST (ALL) national intelligence agencies ARE LYING ORGANISATION, SPECIALISING IN PROMOTING FEAR IN ORDER TO BOOST CONFLICTS AND AVOID HAVING TO DO DIPLOMACY....