Latest news with #EuropeanArmy
The Guardian
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on an EU army: leadership and unity remain elusive
The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, called for the creation of a European army earlier this year, suggesting that, this time, the continent might finally be serious. Defence budgets are rising. Threats are mounting. The US is distracted. Surely now is the moment. Except, of course, it isn't. For all the political soundbites that rattle sabres with increasing confidence, Europe is probably no closer to fielding a unified military force than it was when the French rejected the European Defence Community in 1954. The problem is not one of capacity. Europe, including the UK, collectively boasts about 1.5m active military personnel, and some of the world's most successful defence firms. The problem, as ever, is politics. Or more precisely: who leads? Germany, claiming a Zeitenwende (turning point), and asking the EU to exempt military investment from budget rules, might be the frontrunner. Poland is spending more as a share of GDP than anyone. The French would like to think they would be at the front of any queue. But their Gaullist, unilateral instincts run deep. Italy has industrial knowhow but lacks the economic heft. Post-Brexit, the UK is building bridges with the EU's military powers but it still sees itself as Nato's keystone. And the Baltic states? They want no European project that might scare off Washington. Even defining a European army is difficult. Would it be a single force under the EU flag, combining the 27 national armed forces of the EU members into one common force? Or something looser, to keep Irish and Austrian neutrality intact? Could it be a smaller European intervention force? Or a joint effort by regional groupings in a new hat? The short answer is no one can agree on anything but disagreement. Squabbling might not be the best response to an increasingly assertive, hawkish and unpredictable Russian giant. Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine made territorial defence a pressing concern. Suddenly, Europe remembered why armies exist. Brussels pins its hopes of an industrial renaissance on a five-year rearmament plan that is meant to reduce reliance on US contractors. European firms like Rheinmetall and MBDA are scaling up, but the economies of scale found in the US military industrial complex elude the continent. Everyone wants to protect their local champion. No wonder the bloc has appointed a commissioner for defence whose role is about overseeing the companies making drones, shells and missiles – not the armed forces per se. A Gallup poll in 45 countries last year showed deep ambivalence toward war among Europeans. Four of the five least willing to fight were in the EU – including Spain, Germany, and Italy, where only 14% said they'd take up arms. Even in frontline states like Poland and Lithuania, fewer than half were willing to fight. This pacifist mood reflects an EU integration designed to make war between member states unthinkable. The irony is that the European army is seen as a symbol of independence from the US – while quietly relying on American satellites, command structures and munitions. Many European countries have upped defence spending, but they are not ready to go it alone. An integrated force would demand pooled sovereignty, unified command and a level of political consensus that don't currently exist. That may change. But for now, Europe continues to depend on Washington's capricious leadership – even as it dreams of 'strategic autonomy'.
Reuters
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Ukraine protects Europe from Kremlin aggression, Russian dissident Yashin says
BELGRADE, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Europe must start seeing Ukraine as a European country, and the Ukrainian military as a European army, Ilya Yashin, a prominent Russian opposition activist, said in Belgrade on Friday. "The Ukrainian army is not only protecting Ukraine, it is protecting Europe from Russian aggression," he told hundreds of Russians who now live in Serbia. Yashin was imprisoned in 2022 for criticising Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and released last year, along with 15 other prisoners in Russian and Belarusian jails. His speech at a Belgrade concert hall was the first such public appearance of a high-profile Russian dissident in Serbia since 2022. Between February 2022 and 2024, more than 74,000 Russians registered for temporary residence in Serbia, according to the latest Interior Ministry data, many fleeing conscription or persecution for their opposition to President Vladimir Putin. "This is a meeting with a true hero," said Petr Nikitin, a Belgrade-based Russian and an anti-war activist who came to hear Yashin. Serbia's relations with Moscow soured this year after Russia's SVR spy agency complained about sales of ammunition to Ukraine, and Yashin's visit would likely further complicate their ties. The Russian embassy to Serbia could not be immediately reached for comment. Serbia, which aspires to join the European Union, balances its policies between its historical ties to Russia and the West. Belgrade has repeatedly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but has refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow. In May, President Aleksandar Vucic travelled to Moscow to meet with Putin and attend a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War Two. But Belgrade also recognises Ukraine in its entirety, including territories held by Russia. In June, Vucic visited Ukraine for the first time. Russia remains Serbia's biggest gas supplier, and the Balkan country's only oil refinery is majority-owned by Gazprom ( opens new tab and Gazprom Neft .
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
The Inquiry Are we closer to a European army?
Available for over a year During a speech to the Spanish parliament earlier this year, the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed there's one thing that would guarantee lasting peace in Europe. His idea is the creation of a new army drawn from the 27 countries whose governments already work together as members of the European Union. The concept isn't a new one - and NATO already exists, the military alliance which includes EU member states and other European countries. But talk of a new military force is reappearing as the continent becomes more vulnerable to threats. Its ally the US is increasingly unreliable and unpredictable too. Other European leaders are also backing the idea This week we're asking - 'Are we closer to a European army?' Contributors: Dick Zandee, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Security and Defence Programme at the Clingendael Institute Dr Ulrike Franke, Senior Policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations Oana Lungescu, Distinguished fellow with the Royal United Services Institute and former NATO spokesperson Prof. Dr. Sven Biscop, Director of the Europe in the World Programme at Egmont. Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Daniel Rosney Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Toby James Production Coordinator - Tammy Snow (Image Credit: FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Euronews
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
European leaders set to hold emergency Ukraine summit in Paris as US-Europe ties strain
European leaders are set to convene in Paris for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine as the US moves forward with Russia peace talks without European involvement. Though the summit has not been confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron or spokespersons of the French president, European officials have hinted at the meeting likely going ahead. Speaking on a panel at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the meeting will likely take place on Monday, adding that the last details will be finalised on Sunday. Sikorski also posted twice on X, formerly Twitter, indicating the meeting will be taking place, but has since deleted the posts. European Union foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) to discuss the recent developments as concerns mount following various comments by US officials indicated Washington's desire to exclude the continent from any peace proceedings. The meeting comes as US Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, emphasised that Europe will not be included in the upcoming peace talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv. Kellogg – who is due to visit Brussels on Monday – said however that Europe's opinion will be considered in all peace considerations. 'I come from the school of realism, I think that's not going to happen' said Kellogg as reporters directly asked about Europe's role in a peace deal. 'To my European friends, I would say, enter the discussion not with complaints about whether or not you're at the table, but by offering concrete proposals and ideas, particularly on defence spending,' added Kellogg. On Saturday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the creation of a European Army – 'The Armed Forces of Europe' – as distrust grows between Washington and Brussels. 'I really believe the time has come – the armed forces of Europe must be created' said Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference. The Ukrainian leader added that Trump had not once mentioned to him his desire of including Europe in any possible talks, stating that political tides may be turning. 'The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.' Zelenskyy noted that Europe must strengthen itself and reduce its reliance on anyone but itself. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also likely attend the summit in Paris. Starmer is also set to visit US President Donald Trump in Washington late in February. Trump announced on Friday that Starmer had requested the visit on a phone call they held, but did not share what the two leaders will discuss. Trump added that he and Starmer get along 'very well'. Starmer may seek to position his country as a bridge between the United States and Europe and reunite the longtime allies amid the growing uncertainty.
Times of Oman
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Zelenskyy calls for creation of European Army at Munich Security Conference
Munich: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the creation of a European Army in response to Russia's military build-up, Politico reported. In his speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Zelenskyy also raised suspicion of a possibility that the US might say "no" to Europe on issues that might pose a threat to it. "I really believe that the time has come for Europe to create its own armed forces, " the Ukrainian President said. He added, "Let's be honest, now we can't rule out that America might say 'no' to Europe on issues that might threaten it." According to a Politico report, Zelenskyy stressed that Europe needed to unite and have a single foreign and defence policy that would show the US that the bloc is serious about its own security. He said, "Europe has everything it takes. It just needs to come together and start acting so that no one can say 'no' to it, boss it around, or treat it like a pushover." He said that despite facing battlefield losses, Russian President Vladimir Putin is adding 150,000 soldiers to his armed forces, which is said to be larger than the majority of European armies, and is opening army recruitment offices every week. Zelenskyy said, "Oil prices are still high enough for him to ignore the world." Ukrainian President said his intelligence services "have clear intel that this summer Russia plans to send troops to Belarus under the pretext of training exercises," adding that might be the beginning of operations against neighbouring European nations. NATO's military committee chair, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, said the alliance was unable to confirm Zelenskyy's warning about Belarus. He said, "I believe that Western intelligence agencies are perfectly active in this, so I would expect confirmations." In his speech, Zelenskyy called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "pathological liar" and added that he cannot offer real security guarantees. He said that Ukraine would "never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement." He said, "Putin cannot offer real security guarantees. Not just because he is a pathological liar but because Russia, in its current state, needs war to hold power together. And the world must be protected from that," according to a Politico report. Zelenskyy insisted Ukraine has a future in the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO). His remarks came despite statements from US President Donald Trump and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table in any final peace deal. Ukrainian President said, "I also will not take NATO membership for Ukraine off the table." He further said, "But right now, the most influential member of NATO seems to be Putin because his whims have the power to block NATO decisions." Zelenskyy said that a Russian drone hit the sarcophagus of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor carrying at least 15 kilograms of explosives just hours before the Munich Security Conference (MSC) started. He said, "This is not just madness, this is Russia's stance," Zelenskyy said. "A country that launches such attacks does not want peace."
