Defending Europeans will require immediate action and sacrifices

Ahead of the expected publication, next week, of the European Commission’s White Paper on the Future of European Defence, the European Parliament today adopted a resolution outlining its position, shaped strongly by the Renew Europe Group.

In a fast evolving security environment, the Parliament’s resolution contains many demands of the Renew Europe family, including:

• An immediate and significant European military support for Ukraine's armed forces.
• Establish European preference as the foundation of defence procurement.
• Calls on EU countries to join forces and support a major step towards a very ambitious and comprehensive framework on defence.
• A united and clear long-term vision for the European defence industry and an increase in common procurement by the Member States of European defence equipment and capabilities.
• The removal of EIB financial restrictions that prevent financing defence projects.
• A more effective governance, including a Council of Defence Ministers
• Calls for a system of European defence bonds to be explored for financing large-scale military investments up front.
• The development of a fully capable European pillar of NATO able to act autonomously whenever necessary.
• The Parliament calls on European Council President António Costa to immediately convene the European Council, based on the conclusions of the white paper, so that EU leaders can agree on immediate and far-reaching decisions to implement the European Defence Union as laid out in Article 42(2) TEU.

The European Parliament strongly supports the use of frozen Russian assets to finance military support for Ukraine.

Loiseau: ‘We Can No Longer Afford Fragmentation’

MEP Nathalie Loiseau (Horizons, France), Renew Europe Group’s coordinator in SEDE Committee, who negotiated the resolution on behalf of Renew, stated:

“The recent statements and decisions of Donald Trump and his administration clearly demonstrate an abandonment of Ukraine. As Moscow and Washington are becoming closer, there is urgent need for European autonomy in security and defence matters. There is not a minute to lose, and while I welcome the plan proposed by the President of the Commission, I must warn us all: what Ursula Von Der Leyen is putting on the table is little and late.''

''There is no guarantee that we will address our main weaknesses, those stemming from the fragmentation of our defence industries and a toxic paradox: these industries primarily export outside the European Union, while most of our states mainly purchase from outside Europe. We can no longer afford this, and we must establish a strong European preference. Defending Europeans is an ardent obligation, which will require effort and sacrifices. The maintenance of peace in Europe comes at this price.”