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Kaja Kallas Announces New European Defense Initiative to Address Security Gaps

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced a new European initiative to identify and address defense gaps across the continent. The initiative will bring together senior political and military officials from several EU countries, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine to develop practical solutions for Europe's defense needs. Kallas stated that while Europe is investing more in defense than ever, spending alone does not guarantee success. She noted that the bloc has not been fast enough to cover gaps in conventional power within NATO. Ukraine was included in the initiative because of its extensive battlefield experience from over four years of full-scale war with Russia. During a meeting of EU defense ministers in Ireland, Kallas also called on member states to provide Ukraine with interceptor missiles from their own stocks. She noted that Moscow has not changed its war aims and that recent Russian strikes on Kyiv killed dozens of people. The administration of the EU also disbursed the first €8.47 billion of the Ukraine Support Loan, with another €6.1 billion approved for air defense.

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