Kallas' defense initiative stalls before launch amid pushback from EU capitals
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas' plan to gather former European leaders to generate fresh ideas on defense gaps was halted before it launched, following resistance from several member states. Meanwhile, talks on the EU's next long-term budget continue, and a possible joint Ukraine-Poland World Cup bid is being discussed.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, had planned to assemble a group of prominent former European leaders tasked with generating new ideas to help close gaps in Europe's defense capabilities. However, the initiative was shut down before it could even officially launch, after pushback from several EU member state capitals.
The episode is being examined in the context of a broader question about Kallas' authority and influence over European defense policy, and about which actors ultimately control the direction of that policy. Politico journalists Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart discuss why certain capitals chose to block the idea and what it signals about Kallas' standing.
Budget talks and Costa's tour
Separately, European Council President Antonio Costa is continuing his tour of European capitals as negotiations over the EU's next long-term budget become increasingly concrete.
A possible joint World Cup bid
Also discussed is the possibility that Ukraine and Poland could put forward a joint bid to host a future football World Cup.
The report additionally notes that a live recording of the podcast in front of an audience is planned for September 22, as part of Politico's Brussels Playbook Live event.
