EU Top Diplomat: Russia May Attack EU Countries in 3-5 years

22 January, 2025 Illustrative photo of NATO servicemen. Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Reuters According to European intelligence services, the Russian Federation may attack the European Union in 3-5 years.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated this, DW reports. "Many of our national intelligence agencies are giving us the information that Russia could test the EU's readiness to defend itself in three to five years," Kallas said on Wednesday, January 22, speaking at the annual conference of the European Defense Agency (EDA) in Brussels. Kallas did not disclose details of Russia's alleged plans, but suggested that Europe is buying time while Ukraine defends itself against a Russian invasion.

Canadian military during NATO exercises.

2023. Photo credits: Combat Camera

Therefore, according to her, the EU's priority remains further military assistance to Kyiv. "There is absolutely no doubt we can do more to help Ukraine.

With our help, they can win the war," she said.

Investing in European defense

Kallas called for increased investment in defense, and at the same time, not only spending money to prevent war, but also preparing for it. She stressed that the U.S President Donald Trump is right when he says that European defense spending is insufficient. According to Kallas, Russia now spends almost five times more on military purposes than Brussels: in 2024, defense spending in the EU averaged 1.9% of GDP, while in Russia it was 9%.

"Europe's failure to invest in military capabilities also sends a dangerous signal to the aggressor," Kaja Kallas emphasized. According to her, Russian President Vladimir Putin "speaks only the language of strength" and "weakness provokes him". "People say I'm a 'Russia hawk' - well, I would like to say I am a realist," Kallas added.

Panzerhaubitze (PzH) 2000 self-propelled howitzers. Photo credits: German Ministry of Defense

At the same time, she said that the 16th package of sanctions against Russia is currently being worked on.

Kallas noted that the EU's military assistance to the country has so far amounted to almost 50 billion euros.

In addition, by the end of February this year, a total of 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers and officers will be trained in the EU.

Statements by Russia

In December, it was reported that Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said that the Russian military should be prepared for a war with NATO in the next decade.

"We are talking about ensuring full readiness for any development of the situation in the medium term, in particular for a possible military conflict with NATO in Europe over the next ten years," Belousov said at a meeting of the Ministry of Defense.