“Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. If Ukraine loses, Europe could be next,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said during a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, at debates on reports regarding the state of the EU’s common foreign, security, and defense policy.
She emphasized that the war in Ukraine remains an “existential threat” to the EU.
“Ukraine’s security is European security, and this Parliament has always made that clear. If Ukraine falls, there is a risk that Europe will be next. The EU is the largest international supporter of Ukraine. Our support is comprehensive—diplomatic, financial, military—and includes backing Ukraine’s reforms on its path toward the EU,” Kallas reminded.
She noted that although there have recently been unprecedented diplomatic efforts to end the war, these efforts were “entirely one-sided.”
Kallas warned that the war could continue for a long time if the EU does not collectively increase pressure on Russia to stop its aggression.
She highlighted Europe’s consistent policy in this regard: supporting Ukraine, raising costs for Russia, and preparing for the post-war future, which includes a significant EU contribution to reliable and sustainable security guarantees for Ukraine, in close coordination with the Coalition of the Willing.
“This remains a priority for 2026,” she said.
Regarding EU defense assistance to Ukraine, Kallas stressed that EUMAM has already trained 86,000 Ukrainian soldiers and is ready to train military personnel on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire. The EU is also strengthening Ukrainian security agencies and expanding cooperation with Ukraine in the defense-industrial sector, she added.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU and its member states have provided over $69 billion in military assistance, including $27.7 billion in 2025, she reminded.
On hybrid threats facing the EU, Kallas said the response must be collective, as Russia’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine, and Europe must maintain deterrence and a strong defense posture.
Commenting on the situation in the Black Sea, Kallas stated:
“The reality is that Russia’s war has turned the Black Sea into a battlefield.”
