Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for increased defense investments in Europe during her address at the European Council meeting in Brussels on Friday. She underscored the importance of reinforcing both the investments in the European defense industry and the industry’s capacity to enhance military resilience for both the EU and Ukraine.
In response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Prime Minister Kallas stated, “We are taking bolder action, with NATO defense plans in place. Now, our focus must shift to collective defense investments, including the augmentation of equipment and weapons systems. Further investments in the defense sector are crucial.” She highlighted the necessity of advancing the integrated market for defense and ensuring compatibility of standards for continuous defense readiness. The European Commission is set to unveil its European Defence Industrial Strategy in early 2024.
While the European Defence Fund may see a potential increase of 1.5 billion euros, Prime Minister Kallas asserted that additional measures are required. The Council has decided to involve the European Investment Bank more significantly to guarantee financing opportunities in the defense sphere. Estonia supports the consideration of increased defense spending by Member States during the European Commission’s assessments of budget deficit and debt levels.
Prime Minister Kallas is participating in the ongoing European Council meeting, which began on Thursday, with a focus on EU enlargement, sustained support for Ukraine, and the mid-term revision of the union’s long-term budget for the next four years.
