EU Must Close Defence Gaps Urgently, Says Parliament Foreign Affairs Chief McAllister

In an exclusive interview, David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses the security threats facing Europe and the urgent need to close defence gaps. McAllister states that the EU is "not at war with the Russian Federation, but we are no longer at peace with Russia." He also believes that the EU is not yet capable of making sovereign decisions in certain areas of defence "because we are too dependent on US capabilities." This dependency, he argues, limits Europe's ability to act independently and respond to crises. McAllister calls for increased investment in European defence and greater cooperation among member states. The interview covers a range of topics, including the war in Ukraine, NATO's role, and the challenges of coordinating defence policy across the EU. McAllister's insights are particularly relevant as Europe grapples with a changing security environment and the need to bolster its own capabilities. This segment offers a valuable perspective on the future of European defence.