The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, suffered another political defeat when member states torpedoed her latest initiative to set up an expert group on European defence, at a time when her diplomatic service is under growing pressure to reform.
On Sunday, the European External Action Service (EEAS) cancelled, at the last minute, the launch of a new high-level group tasked with producing a report on how to boost the EU's defence capabilities by identifying strategic investment gaps.
Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, had announced the initiative just days earlier, saying it aimed "to have some of the brightest minds on security and defence come together and really provide out-of-the-box solutions."
"We have decided not to proceed with the initiative," an EU official told Euronews, asking not to be named. "Some member states felt this was not the right path to pursue at this moment."
The episode underscores how Kallas at times attempts to push forward without the necessary political support, even as backing from member states – especially smaller ones – is her best bet to keep the EEAS relevant.
