Russia poses a threat to global security, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas said today in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, on the occasion of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague next week, BTA reports.
“Russia is a direct threat to the European Union“, Kallas stressed, pointing out that in recent years Moscow has systematically violated the airspace of member states, carried out military maneuvers along the borders, damaged pipelines, communication and energy cables, hired criminals for sabotage and continued to strengthen its military presence.
According to her, last year Russia spent more on defense than the entire EU, and this year the Russian military budget exceeds the country's spending on social and health care. “These are expenditures aimed at long-term aggression“, Kallas warned.
She called on every EU and NATO member state to strengthen its defense capabilities. "I don't believe there is a threat that we cannot overcome," the High Representative added.
Kallas stressed that the European Union has provided the possibility of a temporary relaxation of the rules on budget spending, which allows for an increase in defense investment by up to 1.5% of GDP.
The expected meeting in The Hague will focus precisely on increasing military spending. According to Kallas, however, it is essential to preserve unity within the alliance. "We need to do more for Ukraine - not only for its sake, but also for our own security," she concluded.