Kaja Kallas in Dublin Neutrality Does Not Protect Europe From Russia’s Threats!
リアクション
2026年06月09日
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas delivered a strong message in Dublin after meeting Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Helen McEntee, just weeks before Ireland begins its EU Presidency.
Kallas said Ireland’s Presidency priorities reflect exactly what Europe needs: defending values, strengthening security and boosting competitiveness.
But she warned that principles alone are not enough. Europe must also have the hard power to defend them.
Addressing Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality, Kallas said it is not in question — but neutrality does not provide immunity from the threats Europe faces today.
She warned that no country in Europe is off Russia’s target list since the invasion of Ukraine, pointing to hybrid attacks, sabotage, threats to undersea cables and the danger posed by Russia’s shadow fleet.
Kallas said Russian shadow fleet vessels smuggle sanctioned oil, endanger the maritime environment and can act as launch pads for hybrid attacks. She also warned that Russian navy vessels have repeatedly been caught near critical data and energy cables.
Her message was clear: Europe cannot afford complacency.
Kallas welcomed Ireland’s new maritime security strategy and its commitment to increase defence spending by 55% by 2030, saying Ireland is stepping up.
On the Middle East, she called the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz unacceptable, warning that its impact extends beyond the region by disrupting the global economy and threatening food supplies.
She also underlined the importance of UNIFIL in Lebanon and paid tribute to European peacekeepers operating under growing threats.
On Ukraine, Kallas thanked Ireland for making support for Ukraine a Presidency priority. She said there are still no signs that Putin is ready to end his invasion, meaning Europe must continue backing Ukraine.
Kallas also confirmed that the EU has presented proposals for the 21st sanctions package, targeting Russia’s oil revenues, banks, oil traders, refineries, crypto operators and other actors helping Moscow bypass EU sanctions.
She also addressed reports that sanctioned Russian defence companies may be benefiting from Irish aluminium imports, saying Europe must close all loopholes and ensure no European products end up in drones and missiles used against Ukrainian civilians.
From Dublin, Kallas sent a direct warning: Europe must defend its values with strength, protect its seas and infrastructure, tighten sanctions, and keep standing with Ukraine.
#KajaKallas #Dublin #Ireland #HelenMcEntee #Ukraine #RussiaSanctions #ShadowFleet #MaritimeSecurity #HybridThreats #StraitOfHormuz #UNIFIL #EUForeignPolicy #EuropeanSecurity #EUdebates
Kallas said Ireland’s Presidency priorities reflect exactly what Europe needs: defending values, strengthening security and boosting competitiveness.
But she warned that principles alone are not enough. Europe must also have the hard power to defend them.
Addressing Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality, Kallas said it is not in question — but neutrality does not provide immunity from the threats Europe faces today.
She warned that no country in Europe is off Russia’s target list since the invasion of Ukraine, pointing to hybrid attacks, sabotage, threats to undersea cables and the danger posed by Russia’s shadow fleet.
Kallas said Russian shadow fleet vessels smuggle sanctioned oil, endanger the maritime environment and can act as launch pads for hybrid attacks. She also warned that Russian navy vessels have repeatedly been caught near critical data and energy cables.
Her message was clear: Europe cannot afford complacency.
Kallas welcomed Ireland’s new maritime security strategy and its commitment to increase defence spending by 55% by 2030, saying Ireland is stepping up.
On the Middle East, she called the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz unacceptable, warning that its impact extends beyond the region by disrupting the global economy and threatening food supplies.
She also underlined the importance of UNIFIL in Lebanon and paid tribute to European peacekeepers operating under growing threats.
On Ukraine, Kallas thanked Ireland for making support for Ukraine a Presidency priority. She said there are still no signs that Putin is ready to end his invasion, meaning Europe must continue backing Ukraine.
Kallas also confirmed that the EU has presented proposals for the 21st sanctions package, targeting Russia’s oil revenues, banks, oil traders, refineries, crypto operators and other actors helping Moscow bypass EU sanctions.
She also addressed reports that sanctioned Russian defence companies may be benefiting from Irish aluminium imports, saying Europe must close all loopholes and ensure no European products end up in drones and missiles used against Ukrainian civilians.
From Dublin, Kallas sent a direct warning: Europe must defend its values with strength, protect its seas and infrastructure, tighten sanctions, and keep standing with Ukraine.
#KajaKallas #Dublin #Ireland #HelenMcEntee #Ukraine #RussiaSanctions #ShadowFleet #MaritimeSecurity #HybridThreats #StraitOfHormuz #UNIFIL #EUForeignPolicy #EuropeanSecurity #EUdebates
