Kaja Kallas: No European country is safe from Russia's targeting

European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas asserted during a visit to Dublin that no country in Europe is safe from Russia's targeting. She highlighted that Ireland's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning in July, arrives at a critical juncture for the continent.

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Your presidency's priorities reflect exactly what Europe needs – defending our values, strengthening our security, and boosting our competitiveness. Europe must remain a principled global actor.

Kallas noted that the priorities of the Irish presidency align with Europe's immediate needs: defending its values, strengthening security, and boosting competitiveness. "Europe must remain a principled global actor," she stated after meeting with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Defense, Helen McEntee.

While acknowledging Ireland's tradition of military neutrality, Kallas stressed that neutrality does not offer immunity from the threats facing Europe. "No country in Europe has been removed from Russia's list of targets," she warned, pointing to a rise in hybrid attacks and sabotage, including against critical infrastructure like undersea cables, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Principles alone are not enough, and Europe must also have 'hard power' to defend them, which means investing in its security, strengthening its defense capabilities, and building capacity to protect its citizens and its interests.

She echoed recent assessments by EU defense ministers, identifying Russia's shadow fleet as a significant threat due to oil smuggling, environmental risks, and its role in launching hybrid attacks. Kallas also noted that Russian vessels have been repeatedly detected near critical data and energy cables, urging the EU not to remain indifferent. "Greater investment in maritime capabilities is necessary to ensure the safety of our countries," she concluded.

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No country in Europe has been removed from Russia's list of targets. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we have seen an increase in hybrid attacks and sabotage, including against our critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables.

Discussions also covered the Middle East, where Kallas described a "fragile pause" and expressed hope for an agreement, warning that a return to large-scale conflict would come at a tremendous cost. She deemed the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz unacceptable due to its global economic repercussions and threats to food supply. Kallas also expressed concern for Lebanon, where thousands of European soldiers serve with UNIFIL, stating the mission's personnel deserve EU respect and gratitude. She acknowledged Ireland's long-standing contribution to peace and stability in Lebanon and reminded attendees of the EU's proposed 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

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Greater investment in maritime capabilities is necessary to ensure the safety of our countries.