Kallas admits Trump is right over EU defence spending shortfall

January

22

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 [[{“value”:”Kallas

 

BRUSSELS — Europe must heed Trump’s demand to spend more on defence and shoulder its fair share of responsibility, said the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.

Trump recently said that NATO members must increase defence spending from the current target of 2% to 5%, a figure that even the US does not satisfy. He has previously threatened a withdrawal of support for allies that fail to reach a minimum of 2%.

Kallas said it is time to invest, telling an EU defence conference on Wednesday that “President Trump is right to say we don’t spend enough”.

She added that the EU should “shoulder a fair share of responsibility” for Europe’s security and that the US should remain a strong ally.

Her words came as EU leaders and officials have tried to extend an olive branch to Trump as they await his first policy steps towards Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the few who did not mince his words.

Earlier on Monday, he told top military brass in Paris that European taxpayer money should be invested in homegrown weapons to boost the bloc’s own industry, not only “buy more American materiel”.

Beyond addressing Trump’s return, Kallas said the EU should cooperate more closely with like-minded partners.

The bloc would take the “logical next step” of pursuing a new defence agreement with the United Kingdom, describing London as a “key partner” in facing Russia’s threat.

EU leaders will meet with British Prime Minister Kier Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on 3 February for informal talks on strengthening Europe’s defences.

Rutte said he expected Trump’s return to “turbo-charge defence spending and production.”

Source: Euractiv.com

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