EU and NATO to form expert group with Ukraine to address defense gaps
Quick Look
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced a new high-level expert group including EU, UK, and Ukrainian officials to develop rapid solutions for shortcomings in European armed forces' conventional capabilities within NATO, following an informal EU defense ministers' meeting.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Europe has increased defense spending but faces persistent gaps in conventional military capabilities within NATO structure, prompting efforts to improve effectiveness beyond funding alone.
BRUSSELS, September 1. /TASS/. The EU and NATO will establish a high-level expert group with Kiev’s participation to develop recommendations for a rapid elimination of shortcomings in the armed forces of European countries, said head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas after an informal meeting of EU defense ministers.
"Next week I will launch a new high-level group on defense consisting of senior political and military leaders from several EU countries, but also from the UK and Ukraine. Europe is investing more in defense than ever, but spending alone is not automatically a guarantee for success," she said.
"We have not been fast enough to cover the gaps in Europe's conventional power within NATO that we have identified. The aim is to have some of the brightest minds on security and defense to come together and really provide out of the box solutions."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The expert group will deliver initial defense improvement recommendations within the coming months
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Which specific EU countries will participate in the expert group?
- What timeline is expected for the group's recommendations?
- How will the group's findings be implemented by national governments?
