“Today we are going to discuss with the European Defense Ministers what more we can do to help Ukraine, and also what we can do really fast for our own defense,” said Kaja Kallas, the European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Report informs.
Kallas made the announcement before the meeting of EU defense ministers in Poland.
“We have proposed a White Paper on Defense, Preparedness 2030 – so, how we can get ready. Of course, there are a lot of elements that need to be discussed when it comes to funding, when it comes to common procurement, [and] when it comes to also flagship projects. So, I expect thorough and intense discussions today,” she stated.
When asked about the impact of the US trade war on defense cooperation, Kallas responded: “There are no winners in trade wars. It is clear that all these tariffs will raise prices for the consumers, and, in the end, we get to pay for everything. Of course, the defense cooperation that we have with the Americans is also very important.”
“When we have the White Paper, we also think about what more can we do about our own defense industry, because we are buying a lot from the Americans right now. But we need to diversify our portfolio so that we have capabilities to produce here – the ammunition and things that we need here – and also to be able to buy from other allies, so that we have a diversified portfolio in this regard,” the official added.
Kallas underscored, “Also, the European Defense Agency has a role here to help with the common procurement. 2030 is a deadline that we have put, but I think it is too far. I think we need to move faster. My feeling is, and it is also the common understanding from the Defense Ministers, that we need to move faster.”