Russia does not have the ability to strike the EU today, but this may change in the coming years, warned the European High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The danger will not disappear with the end of the war in Ukraine, she added at a joint press conference with European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkunen and European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius at the presentation of the commission's plan to increase the defense capabilities of EU countries, BTA reports.
This plan aims to maintain peace, Kallas pointed out. According to her, the aim is to overcome all current shortcomings of European defense by 2030.
According to European Commissioner Kubilius, war must be prevented and the EC plan pursues such a goal. He noted that for now, the capabilities of European countries to detect and destroy drones at a reasonable cost are severely limited. In Europe, we do not produce enough long-range missiles, the European Commissioner added.
A significant increase in defense spending is planned in the next multi-annual EU budget, explained EC Vice-President Henna Virkunen. She specified that the new budget is designed for 10 times more funds for military mobility and five times more for defense. Virkunen added that the Commission is ready to report on progress in implementing the plan every year.