NEW DELHI: Speaking at a Conference on Europe India and a Changing World Order in the national capital EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said that Europe has existential threat coming from Russia at this time.
Kallas said, “We have this existential threat coming from Russia at this time. We have our member states increasing their defence expenditure, and then it also comes down to where you can buy capabilities and with whom you can incorporate. In the first round, we also want this money to go to the European industry, but if the European industry is not able to deliver, then we can buy outside, and I think the competition that comes from such a big country like India is also beneficial for our industries to work to find solutions.”
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday stated Moscow is ready for a military confrontation if European nations choose escalation, accusing European governments of blocking diplomatic efforts on Ukraine.
Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow, Putin stated, “We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts, we are ready right now.” He claimed European leaders are no longer prioritizing negotiations and are instead backing continued hostilities in Ukraine.