EU's Kallas: If we don’t help Ukraine further, we should start learning Russian

The top EU diplomat’s statement was quoted by The Guardian

Kallas pointed to numerous hybrid acts that Russia is carrying out against EU countries: airspace violations, military exercises near EU borders, attacks on infrastructure, recruitment of criminals for sabotage operations, and more.

"Last year, Russia spent more on defence than the European Union combined. This year, Russia is spending more on defence than its own healthcare, education and social policy combined. This is a long term plan for a long term aggression," she said.

In this context, Kallas called on countries to urgently adopt the new NATO defense spending target of 5% of GDP.

The EU’s top diplomat also called Ukraine "the first line of Europe’s defense," stressing the importance of sanctions against Russia and further aid to Ukraine.

"We have to do more for Ukraine, for our own security too. To quote my friend Nato secretary general Mark Rutte: if we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian. The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield today, the stronger they will be around the negotiation table when Russia finally is ready to talk."