The European Union has canceled a planned meeting of experts meant to help strengthen its collective defense capabilities, according to recent reports. The initiative was announced by Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Union's foreign affairs, and aimed to bring together a high-level group of experts—possibly including members from Ukraine or the United Kingdom—to explore ways to enhance Europe's military preparedness. However, the first meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, was canceled at the last minute due to resistance from Italy, with France and Germany also opposing the move. An anonymous European official explained that some member states believe this particular approach is not the most effective path forward at this time. The official added that the EU is still committed to finding new ways to engage in dialogue with its member states, emphasizing that the underlying challenge remains unchanged: Europe needs to achieve more concrete results in defense matters more quickly. This effort comes in response to concerns over the Russian threat and the potential for reduced U.S. involvement in European security. Despite these challenges, the EU continues to seek ways to bolster its defense posture, though the 27 member states remain cautious about ceding too much control over their own military and strategic decisions. This reluctance reflects a broader tension within the EU, where national interests often take precedence over collective action. The cancellation of the expert meeting is seen as a setback for Kallas, who is already under pressure to reform the EU's diplomatic approach. Some European capitals, including Paris and Berlin, have criticized the current EU diplomacy as ineffective, further complicating efforts to unify the bloc on defense issues.