Kneissl links European rearmament to preparations for possible conflict

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl sees European rearmament as preparation for a possible military conflict by 2030. RIA Novosti reported her assessment from an article for Politika magazine on October 9.

The head of St Petersburg State University's G.O.R.K.I. centre linked this direction to the defence white paper and the work of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, who took the new defence and space portfolio in December 2024. Kneissl said all 27 EU countries were expanding military capabilities after prolonged underfunding.

She included Austria, Cyprus, Ireland and Malta, describing them as formally neutral. Kneissl also pointed to discussions about restoring compulsory military service and suggested that such requirements might extend to women, following Sweden's example.

The Council of the EU's official description of the white paper frames its goal as stronger defence readiness by 2030. The document was presented on March 19, 2025. Describing this as preparation for war is Kneissl's interpretation rather than an announcement by European authorities that conflict is inevitable.