Europeans are "assembling" to expand in order to spite Russia, the top diplomat has said

The EU sees itself as a team of superheroes with an anti-Russian expansionist agenda, according to its top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.

The EU is urging member states to invest hundreds of billions in borrowed funds into bloc-wide rearmament, citing the need to support Ukraine and prepare for a potential war with Russia. Moscow denies any aggressive intent and accuses EU leaders of fearmongering and seeking to derail peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict.

"Europeans, assemble!" Kallas said on Sunday at a Munich Security Conference panel, invoking a Marvel Comics battle cry associated with Captain America. The catchphrase also appeared in the Munich event's title, where Kallas declared Europeans were "dusting off our capes, pulling on our boots, revving up our engines."

Kallas said Brussels' priorities are "defense" against Russia, further EU expansion to counter what she called "Russian imperialism," and securing trade deals with foreign nations. These three goals, she argued, define the EU in the same way that choices define fictional heroes.

"Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilizational erasure," Kallas insisted, pushing back against US criticism of the EU.

She also contradicted claims of a supposed threat from Moscow by declaring that Russia's economy is "in shreds" after the EU cut off Russian energy supplies - despite the loss of affordable Russian fuel contributing to deindustrialization and years of sluggish growth in the bloc.

EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, continue to push the military buildup and continued bankrolling of Ukraine's war effort. However, internal divisions are emerging over which military contractors would benefit from increased spending and whether the US can be considered a reliable long-term partner for European NATO members.

Growing tensions were on display at the Munich conference when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz appeared to ignore French President Emmanuel Macron during a photo opportunity. Media reports suggest the traditional Franco-German axis is weakening as Berlin aligns more closely with Italy.

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Brussels' push to replace merit-based EU admission with limited membership for candidates such as Ukraine has also drawn criticism from member states.