Brussels 28.01.2026 The European Union must improve its defence and make Nato “more European to maintain its strength”, because the U.S. has changed the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, the EU’s top diplomat has said.

We want strong trans-Atlantic ties.
But Europe needs to adapt to new realities.
It is no longer Washington’s primary centre of gravity.

It’s time for Europe to step up and act with urgency.

We must strengthen our instruments, end fragmentation, close our gaps and join forces… pic.twitter.com/wnrmXOXCnB

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 28, 2026

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The U.S. would continue to be Europe’s partner and ally, but no great power had ever “outsourced its survival and survived”, she coninued during a presentation at the European Defence Agency Annual Conference 2026.

Kallas underlined that NATO remains vital but should become “more European” to maintain its strength. The remarks reflect growing concerns among EU leaders that reliance on Washington may be insufficient of chaning global environment. Europe’s strategic autonomy is increasingly seen by the EU insitutions as a necessity in areas ranging from defense and cybersecurity to trade and foreign policy.

Tensions between the EU, and the U.S. were pulpable when President Trump threatened to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Kallas’s remarks followed after Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte meeting with the European Parliament members. He said that the Europeans “keep on dreaming” if they thought Europe could defend itself without the U.S.

“Capabilities, industry, partnerships, decision-making: these are the four areas where we need urgent action. And the institutions that you in this room represent are the ones to make it happen” Kallas said in her key-note speech.

“Europe is no longer Washington’s primary center of gravity,” said EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas [@kajakallas] at the annual conference of the European Defense Agency in Brussels, warning that the shift in relations between Europe and the United States is structural. pic.twitter.com/JFXwV0so9b

— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) January 28, 2026

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For Member States:
“Speed up and modernise your procurement procedures and your work with others. The role of defence ministers is key: you provide the resources and the mandate to empower the EDA. It is in your interest to do so.
For industry:
“Show us your lean and mean side! Let’s see more of your entrepreneurial spirit as you innovate and ramp up. It is also in your interest to do so.
And since this is the annual EDA conference, a few special messages for the Agency.

“The organisation is well respected among the Member States. This came out clearly during discussions on defence at last year’s European Council, where the EDA got a strong push. Thank you for your efforts so far.

As we move forward:
“You must be fit for purpose, with the right internal organisation and financial and human resources tailored to our priorities. This is also a message for Member States: if you want a strong EDA, provide the necessary means.
If we want to translate our political ambition into operational capability, the EDA needs to lead, not just facilitate; you need to act, not just advise.
So today I am calling on the EDA to:
Keep the focus on supporting Member States.
Make the EDA a true EU hub for defence innovation, including by supporting next-generation and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum. The current war has showcased drones; the next one will be about technologies we can only envision today.
Collaborate closely with Ukraine. We have a lot to learn from them, their battlefield experience and innovative defence solutions.
“Leverage cooperation with partners, be it NATO or bilaterally.
And engage with broader EU defence policies. You can help bring coherence and alignment across all EU initiatives.
We all know what to do. And we know that our aim is a strong and independent Europe – also in defence. If what we create now will one day be called a European Defence Union, then so be it.

🚨 The era of national thinking is over, says @kajakallas. 👉 Brussels would strip Member States of their foreign & security policy powers by abolishing the national veto guaranteed to them by the EU’s founding treaties‼️We know this well: whoever gives up the veto gives up the… pic.twitter.com/Xo9TydNksg

— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) January 28, 2026

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“We must strengthen our instruments, end fragmentation, close our gaps and join forces with our partners”.
“We are facing today a crisis that is an opportunity in disguise. So let’s use it!””