EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas delivered a stark warning during a ministerial meeting in Barcelona, stressing that Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine represents an “existential threat” to Europe. Speaking at the launch of the EU’s New Mediterranean Pact, Kallas urged closer cooperation with Southern Mediterranean countries as geopolitical tensions deepen.
Kallas said Europe is facing “changes that shake the foundations”, highlighting the growing strategic importance of the Mediterranean at a time when global stability is increasingly fragile.
Addressing the urgency of Russian aggression, she stated bluntly:
“Russia’s war in Ukraine is an existential threat. If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is not stopped, he will not stop.”
The EU’s new pact aims to strengthen cooperation across key sectors including economics, digital infrastructure, energy, education, cultural exchange, and startup development, according to international media reports. Kallas emphasized that the EU’s goals can only be achieved through “stronger partnerships, more cooperation, and working together as equals.”
She also warned about shared security threats in the Mediterranean, drawing attention to the so-called “shadow fleet”—ships that help Russia evade sanctions and could potentially serve as platforms for drone operations, attacks, or even pose environmental dangers.
On regional stability, Kallas addressed the situation in Gaza, noting that “the stability of Gaza is a priority for everyone” and reaffirming the EU’s responsibility to support the peace process.
