Bypassing Stalemates: A Lean European Defense Council
Europe requires a Security Council composed of nations ready and committed to assertive diplomacy and collective defense.
The withdrawal of the U.S. from European defense is becoming more apparent. While the EU is aiming to allocate funds for defense, it remains bogged down. The time has come to explore unexplored paths.
If America abandons Ukraine, it leaves the country's survival to the EU. The European continent's security is ultimately in European hands. This new situation puts a real challenge before us of historical significance: our generation's task is to bridge the gap between Europe's potential and its actual capability in defense policy. From Brussels, I see it clearly: the constant chatter of the 27 member states in the EU's bodies seems outdated when it comes to our defense. They're good for legitimacy, but bad for results. The moment calls for a European minimum of processes - and a maximum of determination.
We cannot afford to wait. Russia is arming both verbally, as seen in Russian state media, and militarily, as attested by our intelligence agencies. They warn of a growing military aggressiveness of the Kremlin towards the EU - not in some distant future, but in the near future. Those who now wait for contract changes in Brussels will be too late.
We need new, lean defense structures parallel to what we have. At their head: a European Defense Council as a strategic decision-making center that can act quickly, legitimately, and determinedly.
Three structural principles guide this: Not the whole EU. Not only EU. Not without EU.
"Not the whole EU" implies internally, we require a core Europe for defense. Not every EU member needs to participate, not all need to agree. The Europe of different speeds is a reality - in defense policy, it is now a necessity. It must be possible to leave behind individual member states on this journey if their will or our trust in them is lacking. We don't have to wait for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who sympathizes with Putin, if he doesn't want to. Especially not if he consistently undermines the interests of the EU.
"Not only EU" implies externally, we need an opening towards a coalition of the willing. Third countries like Britain or Norway should also be involved if they are willing to contribute their resources to ours. European security does not end at the EU's external border.
"Not without EU" symbolizes the connection to existing EU structures. New formats should not float in an institutional vacuum. The PESCO platform provides an ideal docking point since interested member states are already coordinating their defense capabilities here. But also the Military Staff (EUMS) or the Intelligence Analysis and Reporting of the EU (INTCEN). Thus, synergies are utilized instead of creating new competitions.
About the AuthorSergey Lagodinsky has been a member of the European Parliament for the Greens/EFA group since 2019. Since 2024, he has served as the spokesperson for U.S. and Russia policy in the Foreign Affairs Committee.
A strategic decision-making center is essential to operability. No matter how large the defense budget, it won't provide security if resources aren't developed and deployed wisely. Therefore, Europe requires a functional Defense Council - not a debating stage, but an emergency decision-making body. The United Nations Security Council paved the way 80 years ago, making crucial decisions and demonstrating leadership. Europe could follow this example.
What might it resemble?
Founding members could include: the President of the European Parliament as a symbol of parliamentary oversight, two member states with the highest defense spending, and one non-EU state with significant contributions. However, the Defense Council should not remain static. Every two years, members should be re-elected, perhaps by a qualified majority of the members of the will union.
Politics
As Europe's Military Budgets Swell, Experts Warn of Waste and Lack of CoordinationWhy? Because, unlike the post-war period in the 20th century, we can no longer depend on continuity in European governments' foreign policy. It's not certain that France will keep the same defense policy two years from now. A rotating Defense Council would strengthen Europe's responsiveness and secure its strategic direction: those who no longer wish to defend together should be able to be removed when needed.
The exact decision-making powers can be negotiated. In any case, the Council should have the right to declare a defense emergency when necessary. This declaration could serve as a legal basis for national mobilizations in member states and their parliaments, as well as for joint defense measures. But even before that, the Defense Council and its working levels could serve for joint procurements or coordination of joint defense and industry initiatives.
Currently, the European Union remains a dormant giant, economically, we stand second behind the US - as a market and trading power. But in defense policy, Europe remains blocked despite the correct rhetoric. We have the strength, but we're not using it wisely. A European Defense Council would ensure that this strength is also effective.
Source: ntv.de
- EU
- German Defense Policy
- Security Policy
Enrichment Data:- Proposed European Defense Council (EDC) aims to provide a more agile, inclusive, and adaptive framework for European security cooperation in light of changing U.S. commitments and increasing demand for European strategic autonomy.- The EDC would function as a "European G7 for security," focusing on collective defense decisions while avoiding bureaucratic complexity.- Membership may include EU member states, non-EU NATO members, and Ukraine, depending on the security situation.- The EDC's structure enables variable geometry or a flexible approach, allowing for participation at different levels or in different policy sectors.- The EDC aims to foster a more comprehensive approach to security, addressing defense, cyber, energy, and societal resilience.- The EDC hopes to provide greater citizen involvement and democratic accountability in defense decisions, ensuring transparency and public support.
- The European Union agrees to establish a lean European Defense Council, aiming to bridge the gap between Europe's potential and actual capability in defense policy.
- The proposed European Defense Council (EDC) includes the President of the European Parliament, two member states with the highest defense spending, and one non-EU state with significant contributions, with membership subject to re-election every two years.
- The EDC serves to defend Europe's strategic direction, as the rotating Defense Council would strengthen Europe's responsiveness in light of uncertain foreign policy commitments.
- The EU Defense Council has the power to declare a defense emergency, mobilizing national resources and parliaments for joint defense measures, and fostering coordination in joint procurement and defense industry initiatives.
