Warning to EU states

Russia could attack in three to five years

There have been repeated warnings - especially from the Baltic states - that Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin could continue to march on after the war in Ukraine and threaten the EU.(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Sergei GUNEYEV)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas has sounded a warning: In three to five years, the EU could be confronted with an attack by Russia. She is referring to assessments by the intelligence services of several member states.

"Many of our national intelligence services are telling us that Russia could test the EU's defense readiness in three to five years," said the former Estonian head of government at an event hosted by the European Defense Agency in Brussels on Wednesday. The EU must spend money to prevent war and prepare for war, she said.

"Europe's failure to invest in military capabilities also sends a dangerous signal to the aggressor. Weakness invites it," emphasized Kallas.

Kallas agrees with Trump
In this context, the 47-year-old politician agreed with US President Donald Trump, who is demanding more money for defense budgets from NATO partners. Last year, the EU member states spent an average of 1.9 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. Russia, on the other hand, spends nine percent. Kallas did not give any details of Russia's possible plans. However, she expressed the opinion that the war in Ukraine would be a gain of time for the EU.

With regard to the EU's support for Ukraine, she announced that a 16th package of Russia sanctions was currently being worked on and that she wanted to advocate a more efficient use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.