Spain suggests initial step toward 'European army'
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has stated that the EU should transform its rapid response forces into the core of the bloc's own army. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The European Union must strive for complete strategic autonomy with its own military capabilities, according to the country's foreign minister.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares emphasized the need for the EU to evolve its rapid deployment forces into the core of an independent European army while speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of a meeting with top EU diplomats in Brussels.
During the same meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed concerns, stating that ministers felt "worried" by the recent shifts in US foreign policy. Since taking office last month, US President Donald Trump has initiated the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Moscow while urging European countries to increase their contributions to NATO and assume greater responsibility for their own security.
Albares stated, “The threat is European and therefore the response has to be European.” He highlighted his intention to encourage the EU Foreign Affairs Council to consider ways to strengthen the continent's defense capabilities.
“Capabilities that must include the ability to have rapid deployment forces that could even be the embryo of a European army,” he articulated. Additionally, he noted the need for the EU to attain “strategic autonomy” and to further enhance its domestic defense industry and logistics.
In response to the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, EU member states agreed in 2022 to develop a Rapid Deployment Capacity. This initiative was aimed at creating a coordinated framework of rapid response forces, capable of deploying up to 5,000 troops by this year, according to the European Commission.
Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron, who has previously proposed the concept of a unified European army, commented that the lack of consensus on defense strategies among EU countries renders a common military force unfeasible.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky suggested last month that Ukraine's military could serve as the foundation for “an army of Europe,” indicating that “decades of the old relationship between Europe and America are ending” and stressing that “Europe needs to adjust.” Zelensky pointed out that Ukraine is currently “holding back Russia” from launching attacks on other European nations.
In response to these sentiments, Moscow has consistently dismissed allegations of any plans to attack the EU or NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized last year that the notion that Russia intends to attack NATO is “complete nonsense, total rubbish.”
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares emphasized the need for the EU to evolve its rapid deployment forces into the core of an independent European army while speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of a meeting with top EU diplomats in Brussels.
During the same meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed concerns, stating that ministers felt "worried" by the recent shifts in US foreign policy. Since taking office last month, US President Donald Trump has initiated the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Moscow while urging European countries to increase their contributions to NATO and assume greater responsibility for their own security.
Albares stated, “The threat is European and therefore the response has to be European.” He highlighted his intention to encourage the EU Foreign Affairs Council to consider ways to strengthen the continent's defense capabilities.
“Capabilities that must include the ability to have rapid deployment forces that could even be the embryo of a European army,” he articulated. Additionally, he noted the need for the EU to attain “strategic autonomy” and to further enhance its domestic defense industry and logistics.
In response to the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, EU member states agreed in 2022 to develop a Rapid Deployment Capacity. This initiative was aimed at creating a coordinated framework of rapid response forces, capable of deploying up to 5,000 troops by this year, according to the European Commission.
Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron, who has previously proposed the concept of a unified European army, commented that the lack of consensus on defense strategies among EU countries renders a common military force unfeasible.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky suggested last month that Ukraine's military could serve as the foundation for “an army of Europe,” indicating that “decades of the old relationship between Europe and America are ending” and stressing that “Europe needs to adjust.” Zelensky pointed out that Ukraine is currently “holding back Russia” from launching attacks on other European nations.
In response to these sentiments, Moscow has consistently dismissed allegations of any plans to attack the EU or NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized last year that the notion that Russia intends to attack NATO is “complete nonsense, total rubbish.”
Ian Smith for TROIB News
