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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says Europe must rearm more quickly to meet its 2030 target, as Russia shows no interest in peace and attacks on Ukraine continue.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the European Union needs to rearm more quickly and effectively to meet its 2030 target, speaking as Russia continues attacks on Ukraine and shows no interest in peace. Kallas made the remarks during UN week, where she also discussed a new emergency security protocol and Russia's recent behaviour following talks with Germany's foreign minister. The comments came as Poland announced new measures to allow its fighter planes and helicopters to shoot down foreign aircraft under special wartime defence rules.
EU Rearmament and Security Protocol
Kallas said Europe must accelerate its rearmament to meet the 2030 goal. She also revealed that discussions have begun on a new emergency security protocol. This protocol would focus on tools usable during aggression that falls below armed attack, not covered by EU Article 42.7 or NATO Articles 4 and 5.
Kallas explained that NATO Article 4 allows countries to request discussions when their security is threatened, while Article 5 treats an armed attack against one as an attack against all. The new protocol would address grey zone attacks below that threshold. She noted it was a first, very initial discussion, with many stressing it must complement NATO and not create anything additional.
Kallas also said Russia's sustained acts of sabotage and airspace violations persist, prompting the EU to look into what more it can do. The protocol could provide a coordination mechanism to respond to grey zone attacks and complement existing arrangements. She added that many countries outside Europe seem to believe simply talking to Russia would resolve all problems.
Poland's New Air Defence Measures
Poland will allow its fighter planes and helicopters to shoot down foreign aircraft detected by radar under special wartime defence measures, its deputy defence minister said. The change will let the pilot or operational commander decide to shoot down a foreign aircraft based on radar readings or other information, replacing the peacetime standard that requires visual identification before opening fire.
This decision follows a September incident when some 20 Russian drones violated Poland's airspace, one of the most dangerous such incidents in recent years. The new measure aims to strengthen Poland's ability to respond quickly to airspace violations.
Russian Attacks on Ukraine Continue
In Kyiv, a Russian jet-powered drone strike hit an administrative building, identified by AFP as the National Academy of Sciences. The site is in the very centre of Kyiv, usually well protected, close to the German embassy, a famed cathedral, the national opera and government buildings. Firefighters are extinguishing the fire and searching for people who may have been trapped. All services are deployed.
Also in Kyiv, a pharmaceutical company and gas stations were attacked. In Dnipro, a business centre was hit, and in other cities and regions, civilian facilities, businesses, and communications infrastructure were targeted. Reuters reported a loud explosion in central Kyiv caused by a Russian drone.
Kallas said Russia needs to show by stopping attacks on civilians that they are interested in peace, which they are not. She added that Russia must then talk to Ukraine because it is between Ukraine and Russia, and everybody else can facilitate but ultimately they must agree. She also said Russia's behaviour after talks with Germany's foreign minister last week shows they are not interested in peace at all.
Kallas responded to Lavrov's comments ridiculing Germany after the meeting, saying otherwise you do not treat your negotiation partner this way. She stressed that Russia will definitely face a response to this terror, and every one of Ukraine's partners must see that supporting Ukraine means truly supporting people's lives and the principle that terror must never be normalised anywhere. Russia must be held accountable for all of this and face real consequences.
Kaja Kallas European Union Russia Ukraine Poland NATO Kyiv
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