Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said to the European Parliament in Strasbourg that Russia remains the European Union's most immediate security threat [1].
The warning comes as the EU faces an evolving landscape of hybrid warfare, where traditional military build-ups are coupled with digital and covert operations. Kallas said that member states must maintain a united front to prevent fragmentation in the face of external pressure.
During her speech in France, Kallas urged EU member states to strengthen defenses against both conventional and non-conventional threats [1]. She said ongoing sabotage and cyber-attacks are primary drivers of this instability [1, 3].
Kallas said that Russia's military spending is massive, which suggests the Kremlin has long-term plans for aggression against Europe [3]. This financial commitment to weaponry is viewed by EU officials as a signal that the threat is not temporary but structural.
Addressing the possibility of future diplomacy, Kallas expressed a willingness to lead negotiations. "I could represent the EU in talks with Russia, because I know how to spot the traps set by Moscow," Kallas said [2].
This stance aligns with previous warnings from EU diplomats regarding the nature of the threat. Josep Borrell, a top EU diplomat, previously said that Russia poses a direct threat to the European Union through acts of sabotage, and cyberattacks [3].
Kallas said that the current security environment requires a shift in how the EU perceives its borders and internal vulnerabilities. She said the union must prioritize resilience to counter the specific tactics used by Moscow to destabilize democratic institutions across the continent [1].
“Russia remains the European Union's most immediate security threat.”
The emphasis on 'non-conventional threats' signals a shift in EU security strategy toward hybrid warfare. By focusing on sabotage and cyber-attacks alongside military spending, the EU is acknowledging that the conflict with Russia extends beyond traditional borders and into the digital and civic infrastructure of member states.
