UK, Ukraine to join new EU defense group, says Kallas

Ukraine and the UK will join a new EU High-Level Group on Defense which will be launched next week.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced this following an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Ireland, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“Next week, I will launch a new High-Level Group on Defense, consisting of senior political and military leaders from several EU countries, but also from UK and Ukraine,” she said.

The High Representative noted that although Europe is investing more in defense than ever before, spending alone does not automatically guarantee success.

“We have not been fast enough to cover the gaps in Europe's conventional power within NATO that we have identified. The aim is to have some of the brightest minds on security and defense to come together and really provide out-of-the-box solutions: how can we be faster to fulfilling these gaps, and how can we be more effective, especially now that the security threat in Europe is so much more real,” Kallas said.

The group is expected to compile its findings under her leadership in a report containing concrete recommendations on strengthening Europe’s defense.

Asked to clarify who would represent Ukraine, Kallas said the names would be announced at the group’s launch ceremony next week. She also pointed to the strong interest among various participants in joining the initiative and noted that some ideas for strengthening defense capabilities were coming from the private sector.

As reported, Kallas has expressed hope that €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility will be unlocked so that at least part of the funds can be used for defense assistance to Ukraine.

Photo: Instagram/kajakallas