European Parliament backs 'military Schengen' to strengthen defense against Russia

It is noted that the resolution was adopted with 493 votes in favor, 127 against, and 38 abstentions. The resolution emphasizes the need to implement military mobility to strengthen defense against Russia.

To achieve this, lawmakers call for the removal of internal borders for the movement of troops and military equipment within the EU. In addition, it proposes modernizing railways, roads, tunnels, and bridges to improve their technical condition.

"Military mobility is an essential enabler for common European security and defence, but also crucial for the security of the eastern flank, in particular the Baltic countries and Poland," the release states.

The resolution also proposes a significant increase in funding for military mobility needs. Modernizing over 500 infrastructure facilities (bridges, tunnels, and others) will require at least €100 billion.

At the same time, the resolution notes that "considerable administrative and financial barriers, as well as infrastructure obstacles, still exist." These delays make the movement of military units unacceptably slow.

"MEPs call on EU countries and the European Commission to invest more in transport infrastructure, especially along the four EU military mobility corridors… They recommend working towards a 'military Schengen area', reinforced by a military mobility task force," the document states.

At the beginning of November, it became known that EU countries were preparing for the rapid transport of soldiers, weapons, ammunition, and the evacuation of the wounded amid preparations for a potential conflict with Russia. For this purpose, the so-called "military Schengen" is being discussed.

The European Union is also actively creating a new system for the rapid redeployment of troops and equipment across member states. The goal of the initiative is to ensure operational mobility of forces in the event of a military threat, particularly from Russia.