EU's new defence package for rapid troop deployment

THE European Union has rolled out a new defence package to allow tanks and troops to deploy more rapidly across the many borders of the 27-nation bloc as concern mounts that Russia is already probing its defences.

- 

Europe's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that spending on defence now might avert war.

"Weakness invites them to make their move," she said, speaking of Russia.

She said if the EU increased its defensive capabilities and readiness, "then Russia will not attack because we are not weak”.