In record time the European Union has seen how defense spending went from being a secondary issue in the political debate, almost an annoying issue, to a whole hot potato. And it is logical. In just three years Brussels has had to deal with two great challenges. First, in February 2022the advance of Russian troops to Ukraine and the beginning of a war at home doors. Second, The return to the White House of a Trump that He has already warned to the EU that will not always have the US military support. Faced with such a scenario, the question is obvious: is Europe that owns its own defense? What should do to be? “The old days”. A few days ago, during the Munich Security Conference, Volodymyr Zelensky He launched a notice About the turn that has printed Trump’s return To the White House in the relations between Washington and Brussels: “The old days in which the US supported Europe just because it always did (…). From now on, things will be different and Europe has to adapt.” The words of the Ukrainian leader sounded particularly serious because they do not refer to economic policy or international diplomacy (or not only). In Munich, Zelensky spoke of something that directly affects his country: defense. Hence the warning was accompanied by a glove Speed to the Brussels table: “I think the time has come, the European Armed Forces must be created.” “Guarantee your own defense”. Words matter, but it matters above all the context. In the scarce month he has been in the White House Trump has already made clear some of the master lines of his second term. And one of them happens, indeed, due to a substantial change in relations with Europe. In Economic matter… and defense. The Republican has demanded that NATO countries raise your expense 5% of their GDP, a clear message to the EU countries, which add 23 of the 32 members of the alliance. Throughout the last weeks Washington has insisted on the need for a “rebalancing” In transatlantic relationships and He has made clear that the US military presence in Europe “will not last forever.” Vice President JD Vance has even gone further and took advantage of the Munich forum to launch A NOTICE TO NAVIANS: The old continent must “take a great step to guarantee its own defense.” In summary, the EU risks running out of the support of an US that today seems more interested in the Indo-Pacific. A table without a chair for the EU. If there has been a clear test (and above all graphics) of the change of scenario in defense, it was left without a chair in The negotiating table Mounted a few days ago in Riad to talk about the Ukraine War and its possible resolution. There were representatives of Russia, the US and even Saudi Arabia, host; But no Europe for anger from its leaders. Nor kyiv, protagonist of the negotiation. It was not a surprise. Although later He modulated his toneWashington’s representative for the Ukraine War, Keith Kellogg, already He had made clear Days before the EU would have no place on the table. With that backdrop and in full approach between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the vice president of the National Security Council of Russia, Medvedev, He sent a message Of course to Brussels: “Single and cold Europe is crazy with jealousy and anger (…). It is not surprising. Its time is over. It is weak, ugly and useless.” The time of the European Army? The question that remains is the one that slid a few days ago Zelensky: Has the time to boost the European Armed Forces? The idea is not much less new. The French president, Enmanuel Macron, has pointed out In the past in that direction, which is not recent or oblivious to the origins of the EU. In 1954 the mint He already raised Create the European Defense Community and Parliament itself presume that since 2016, after Crimea’s invasioncommunity levels have been taken to “reinforce Europe’s ability to defend themselves.” A complex movement. Europe has promoted forums, the European Defense Fundthe Strategic compass wave Industrial Defense Strategy And he has reinforced his defense expenditure, as highlighted by the European Commission itself, increasing its parties of the Member States more than 30% In a matter of a few years, coinciding with the invasion of Ukraine. However, despite these movements or even the social support of the common defense policy (supports it 77% of Europeansaccording to the Eurobarometer of 2024), the analysts They usually coincide In how complicated an EU army would be promoted, at least in the short term, or even shielding security policy and Common Defense. The EU is a club of states with interests that do not always coincide, just as the perception of threats does not do. That without counting on complex which are decision making at the community level or that, such as Remember From Investigate Europe, creating an army under the command of the EU would imply that national governments would have to give up sovereignty. Although the opposite was devised, the summit held these days in Paris He has evidenced those difficulties and there are those who, as the Polish Foreign Minister, already Close the door to a unified army. Expenditure in defense of the EU Member States. Policy issue, and expense. The other great question about European defense, especially after Washington’s movements and Trump’s demand that NATO countries increase their expense is … How much do EU countries invest in defense? Is it enough? And if not, how much more would they have to spend? For now von der Leyen He has already raised Freeze the fiscal rules so that the EU is seen with hands free to invest “hundreds of billions” of euros precisely for that purpose: defense. “For extraordinary times it is possible to have extraordinary measures in the stability and growth pact”, He assumed days ago The European leader. The … Read more
