Kaja Kallas: Europe must restore its capacity to act

TALLINN – Summing up the Munich Security Conference, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Europe must restore its independent capacity to act and strengthen its defense.

According to Kallas, three days of discussions and meetings with partners from around the world showed that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. In her view, strengthening Europe's defense begins with Ukraine. In a social media post, Kallas noted that Europe's capacity to act must be restored.

Kallas wrote that if peace is not Russia's goal, Europe must arm itself along with its partners. The European Union is also working on a new security strategy to respond to threats from Russia and elsewhere. Kallas described enlargement as a geopolitical choice and an antidote to Russian imperialism.

"Since 1990, countries that freed themselves from Soviet domination, democratized, and joined the European Union have grown more than twice as fast as Russia. In 1990, Russians were twice as wealthy as Poles. Today, Poles are approximately 70 percent wealthier than Russians," Kallas wrote.

According to Kallas, countries want to diversify their partnerships and find common solutions to digital challenges. She said that most countries desire stability, economic growth, and prosperity, and the best way to achieve this is through cooperation.

On Sunday, Kallas spoke at the Munich Security Conference on a panel with the Marvel-themed title, 'Europeans, Assemble: Restoring Agency in a Harsher World.' In her speech, she emphasized the need to strengthen Europe's role in a more complex security environment, affirmed continued support for Ukraine, and highlighted the preparation of a new European security strategy. She also stressed the importance of enlargement and international partnerships in strengthening stability and security.

"We are moving in that direction – dusting ourselves off, pulling on our boots, and starting our engines. Europeans know what this fight is for: not only for our high standard of living, health, and well-being but also for the lessons we have learned from our history," Kallas said.

"Contrary to some claims, a 'woke' and decadent Europe is not facing civilizational decline.

People still want to join us. And not just other Europeans. When I was in Canada last year, I was told that over 40 percent of Canadians would be interested in joining the European Union. The waiting list is long. I just hope that those who have been waiting for a long time will not have to wait much longer.

Polls show that citizens of member states want the European Union to play a stronger role in the world – to protect our values, care for people, and advance humanity. As President Macron said in Davos, Europe may sometimes be too slow and in need of reform, but we know very well who we are and what we stand for.

I agree that Europe's capacity to act must be restored. Three priorities.

First, European defense. It starts with Ukraine. But we know that Russia's goal is not limited to Donbas. Russia tries to paralyze economies with cyberattacks, disrupt satellites, sabotage undersea cables, divide allies with disinformation, and pressure countries with the energy weapon. In addition, there is the nuclear threat.

I am working with President von der Leyen on a new security strategy that addresses all dimensions of European security – from military defense to economic security and preparedness. In today's world, security is indivisible. We must be realistic about Russia. Russia is not a superpower.

After more than a decade of conflict, including four years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia has not substantially advanced beyond its 2014 lines. The price has been 1.2 million casualties.

Today, Russia is exhausted, its economy weakened, it is cut off from European energy markets, and its citizens are leaving the country. The greatest danger is that Russia will achieve more at the negotiating table than on the battlefield. When it comes to negotiations, what matters most is not a seat at the table, but knowing what to demand there. Russia's maximalist demands cannot be met with minimalist responses.

If Ukraine's armed forces are to be limited, so must Russia's. Russia must compensate for the damage caused in Ukraine. There can be no amnesty for war crimes. Ukraine's deported children must be returned.

This is the least Russia should agree to if peace were its goal. Since we suspect that peace is not Russia's goal, Europe is arming itself, along with its partners.

The second priority is stability in Europe's neighborhood – to the east and south. This is where Europe has the greatest capacity to act. Our priority is enlargement – an antidote to Russian imperialism.

Since 1990, countries that freed themselves from Soviet domination and joined the European Union have grown more than twice as fast as Russia. In 1990, Russians were twice as wealthy as Poles. Today, Poles are approximately 70 percent wealthier than Russians.

According to historian Timothy Snyder, European enlargement is crucial for securing democracy and overcoming Europe's own imperialist past. Today, enlargement is a geopolitical choice, and we must say yes to it.

The third priority is international partnerships. For example, trade: the European Union has created the world's largest free trade network. Nearly 80 countries are covered by EU trade agreements. In addition to trade, we are creating security and defense partnerships – there are now ten of them, including with India and Australia this year.

Countries want to diversify partnerships to cope with a more unstable world, including the threat of tariffs. They are seeking common solutions to digital challenges, from standards to semiconductors.

Most countries want the same thing: stability, economic growth, and prosperity for their people. The best way to achieve this is to act together.

In conclusion, we hear the call: 'Europeans, assemble!' And I will borrow another thought from the Marvel universe: 'Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.'

Europe's path is clear:

Defend Europe.

Ensure security in our neighborhood.

And build partnerships around the world."