EU chief diplomat taps ex-political, military leaders for defense group
The taskforce will focus on European defense as the bloc faces growing pressure to take more responsibility for its own security.
EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas introduced a high-level group comprising former political and military leaders on Tuesday, tasked with contemplating how the European Union can defend itself in the face of evolving U.S. involvement. The new body, to be launched the following week, will comprise distinguished individuals from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, Kallas unveiled during the commencement of an informal defense ministers’ meeting in Ireland.
Kallas affirmed that NATO remains the bedrock of European security, but added that U.S. allies must shoulder more of the burden for their own defense. "Why have these political and military leaders?" Kallas queried, emphasizing that they possess insights beyond the purview of EU institutions. The spokesperson for Kallas did not disclose the identities of the group members.
Kallas clarified that the group's objective was not to emulate U.S. defense capabilities but to leverage Europe's distinctive strengths and Ukraine's operational expertise to "challenge conventional thinking."
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