In a recent push for a European army, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have voiced their support. Sánchez stated that a European army with troops from all 27 member countries working under a single flag is necessary to achieve true union. The proposal aims to boost military interoperability and coordination among European nations, which currently have a total of 1.47 million active-duty military personnel.
However, there is reluctance among EU officials in Brussels to ignite discussions on this topic. Instead of creating an EU army, the focus remains on having 27 capable and interoperable national armies that can work better together. The need for enhanced military capabilities and readiness in the face of potential Russian aggression has prompted discussions on integrating Ukraine into the EU’s defense market.
While the EU seeks to support its European members in meeting shared defense objectives and deterring rivals, implementing a European army would require significant resources, including additional troops, tanks, artillery, drones, and increased defense spending.
With NATO urging its allies to increase military capability targets and defense spending, the conversation around a European army continues to be met with caution and skepticism in Brussels. Despite calls for a unified European force, the EU emphasizes the importance of maintaining national sovereignty in defense matters. The idea remains a topic of debate, with some experts advocating for a military parity between Europe and Russia to maintain deterrence without relying on nuclear capabilities.
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