Russia has a long-term strategy for military aggression against Europe, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Wednesday, urging immediate action to bolster defenses and continue supporting Ukraine, reported by Euro News. Addressing EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, Kallas painted a sobering picture of a continent under growing threat, citing Russia’s expanding military budget, sabotage efforts, and violations of European airspace.
According to Kallas, Moscow is now spending more on defense than all 27 EU member states combined—and more than it allocates to health care, education, and social services together. “This is a long-term plan for long-term aggression. You don’t spend that much on the military unless you intend to use it,” she said.
Kallas warned that Russia is targeting Western critical infrastructure—from pipelines to undersea cables—and even recruiting criminals for acts of sabotage. These moves, she said, are part of a broader campaign to destabilize Europe. Though the Kremlin denies such accusations, concerns are mounting among EU intelligence agencies and NATO officials.
Speaking ahead of next week’s NATO summit in The Hague, Kallas emphasized the urgency of increasing defense budgets and reducing reliance on U.S. support. NATO is expected to propose raising military spending targets from 2% to 5% of GDP.
Referencing Dutch Prime Minister and NATO Secretary-General–designate Mark Rutte, Kallas delivered a stark message: “If we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian.” She argued that only a strong Ukraine can deter further Russian advances and force Moscow to the negotiating table.
Her warning follows statements from Germany’s intelligence chief, who confirmed Russia sees Ukraine as merely a first step toward wider confrontation with the West. With the war in Ukraine entering its fourth year and no sign of diplomatic resolution, EU leaders are being called to act—decisively, collectively, and urgently.
