Russia's defense spending signals long-term aggression: EU foreign policy chief

BRUSSELS

Russia's soaring defense budget signals a long-term plan for aggression, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned ahead of next week's NATO summit.

"Last year, Russia spent more on defense than the European Union combined. This year, Russia is spending more on defense than its own health care, education, and social policy combined. This is a long-term plan for a long-term aggression. You don't spend that much on military if you do not plan to use it," she explained during the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Kallas urged NATO allies to boost their defense expenditures, stressing that unity within the alliance is as crucial as increased military spending.

Addressing the lawmakers, she said: "Somebody said here that Russia has no reason to attack NATO. Well, Russia didn't have any reason to attack Ukraine either, or Syria or Georgia or, you know, the list is long. So they aren't acting rationally."

NATO leaders are expected to discuss and decide on a proposal by Secretary-General Mark Rutte to set a 5% defense spending target, amid growing pressure from the US for European allies to shoulder a greater share of the alliance's military burden.