EU eyes new defense alliance with Ukraine
Photo: European Parliament (Getty Images)
The European Parliament is proposing the creation of a new European Defense Union capable of defending the continent independently of the United States, but in close cooperation with NATO. Ukraine is set to become one of the key participants, according to MEP Reinier van Lanschot, one of the initiative's authors.
He says Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and instability in US policy require Europe to be significantly more independent in security matters.
The new bloc will operate on the principle of being separable but not separated from NATO. This will allow it to function within the Alliance while retaining the ability to act autonomously if, for certain reasons, Article 5 of the Collective Defense Treaty is not invoked.
"We still believe that NATO is of immense value, and we want to make the Alliance stronger. But to do so, we must also make Europe capable of defending itself autonomously," van Lanschot emphasizes.
Ukraine's role in new security system
The MEP stresses that the future defense alliance will not be able to function effectively without the involvement of key partners, including Norway, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. He describes the Ukrainian army as the strongest and most technologically advanced on the continent.
According to his observations, perceptions of Ukraine within the European Union have changed significantly in recent years. While EU countries initially sought only to help Ukraine survive the war, Europeans have now realized that they themselves need Ukraine's help to become stronger.
In particular, the initiative provides for the possibility of involving Ukrainian military personnel on a voluntary basis in future European rapid reaction forces.
How defense block will function
The European Security Council will serve as the main political body of the new alliance. To prevent individual countries from systematically blocking decisions, it is proposed that decisions be adopted by a qualified majority rather than unanimously.
The concept envisages building a structure around six key elements. It will also include a European Military Staff, a European Military Intelligence Center, a European Strategic Support Unit, a European Rapid Reaction Force, and a European deterrence mechanism through the activation of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union regarding mutual assistance.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calls on allies to prepare for a new wave of hybrid Russian attacks. He expects systematic arson and sabotage operations at EU defense and critical infrastructure sites.
Danish intelligence has warned of a likely intensification of Russia's hybrid attacks against NATO countries in the coming months. The possibility of a limited military operation also cannot be ruled out.
