EU Scraps High-Level Defence Advisory Group Amid Member-State Opposition

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced a new advisory body of former political and military leaders intended to generate rapid solutions for European defence gaps. The planned fireside chat in Brussels was called off, and the list of participants—expected to include former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Estonian defence minister Jüri Luik, and former French defence minister Florence Parly—was never made public.

Politico Europe

The group was part of a broader effort to revitalize the European External Action Service (EEAS), which recently received a new leadership team that includes former Dutch defence minister Kajsa Ollongren as secretary-general and former French NATO ambassador David Cvach as deputy secretary-general for defence. Kallas has been in a “fierce behind-the-scenes push” against Franco-German proposals to place the EEAS under tighter Commission control. Diplomats warned the new advisory body could overlap with the work of Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, who already convenes think-tank meetings with former leaders.

Politico Europe

A senior EU diplomat, speaking anonymously, suggested the initiative was “her way to remain relevant,” reflecting internal competition between the High Representative and the Commission.

Politico Europe

• “The aim is to have some of the brightest minds on security and defence come together and really provide out-of-the-box solutions on how we can be faster in fulfilling these gaps and how we can be more effective,” — Kaja Kallas, foreign policy chief

Euronews

• “Some member states felt this was not the right path to pursue at this moment,” — the official

Politico Europe