Strasbourg, 12 March 2025
- Provide more arms and ammunitions to Ukraine
- Preparatory actions must be “close to those of wartime”
- Simplify decision-making for defence issues
- MEPs welcome ReArm plan, ask for innovative funding solutions
The EU faces a turning point and “business as usual” is no longer an option against the threats and attacks towards European security.
In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, Parliament calls on the EU to act urgently and ensure its own security. This will mean, MEPs say, strengthening relationships with like-minded partners, and strongly diminishing its reliance on non-EU countries.
A so-called “White Paper” on the future of European defence, that the Commission and the High Representative are expected to present next week should put forward concrete proposals to the European Council to enable “truly ground-breaking efforts” and actions “close to those of wartime” , say MEPs, also welcoming the recently tabled ReArm plan.
The EU as a genuine security provider
To achieve peace and stability in Europe, the EU must support Ukraine and become more resilient itself, MEPs argue. The resolution states, “Europe is today facing the most profound military threat to its territorial integrity since the end of the Cold War”. It calls on member states, international partners, and NATO allies to lift all restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets on Russian territory.
Russia – supported by its allies Belarus, China, North Korea and Iran – is “the most significant direct and indirect threat against the EU”, the resolution states. MEPs stress how recent actions and statements by the Trump administration have increased concerns about the future stance of the US towards Russia, NATO, and European security, and strongly condemn US threats against Greenland. Against this background, Parliament underlines that EU defence efforts “cannot remain limited in size, fragmented in scope, and lengthy in delivery. MEPs demand increased efforts in the military field, but also in the industrial, technological and intelligence sectors.
Ready for the most extreme military contingencies
The text says the EU must enable its administration to “move much faster through the procedures”, in case of war or other large-scale security crises. While stressing the importance of EU-NATO cooperation, MEPs also call for the development of a fully capable European pillar in NATO that is able to act autonomously whenever necessary.
MEPs believe that EU must decide on a united and clear long-term vision for the European defence industry, and call for a significant increase in common procurement of equipment from EU member states. They insist that decision-making on European defence should be less complex. They endorse the creation of a council of defence ministers, and a move from unanimity to qualified majority for EU decisions in this field, with the exception of military operations with an executive mandate.
Parliament warns that, without a substantial investment increase, EU security and defence objectives will not be reached for either military support to Ukraine, nor for the improvement of the common European security. MEPs state that “urgent needs cannot wait for the next multiannual financial framework”. They ask for “innovative solutions for finding additional funding without delay” such as a system of European defence bonds for financing large-scale military investments.
The resolution was adopted by 419 votes in favour,204 against and 46 abstentions.
S&Ds call for stronger EU commitment to Ukraine and a unified European defence strategy
Strasbourg, 12 March 2025
The S&D Group calls for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, a stronger EU commitment to Ukraine’s defence, tougher sanctions on Russia, and a collective approach to European security and defence. This is in light of the US resumption of military assistance to Ukraine, the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, and today’s votes on the resolutions on ‘the unwavering EU support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression’ and on ‘the future of European defence‘.
Yannis Maniatis, S&D vice-president for foreign affairs, security and defence, international energy security and cooperation, and negotiator on the resolution on defence, said:
“We want a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in full respect for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and accountability for Russia’s illegal aggression and countless war crimes. The recent ceasefire proposal can be a step towards this, but only if Russia fully respects it and engages in meaningful negotiations with Ukraine, the US, and the EU for a fair, sustainable peace, based on international law.
“Recently, it has become clear that the EU needs to take greater responsibility for its own security. We see the future of European defence as a common European project. Member states must pool resources for defence spending and avoid fragmentation, which weakens our defence capabilities and increases costs. The possible ceasefire is not a guarantee for our security; a stronger, more unified European security strategy is necessary to deter future aggression by Russia and safeguard peace and prosperity for all Europeans.
“At the same time, defence investments must not come at the expense of social welfare. Cohesion funds shouldn’t be used for defence; instead, we need new EU investment tools that bolster our own industries. Preserving our social model, strengthening our strategic industries and defending our democracy go hand in hand to defend European security.”
Thijs Reuten, S&D negotiator on the resolution on Ukraine, said:
“The ceasefire proposal offers a window of opportunity for peace. We support Ukraine’s desire for a just and lasting peace because Ukraine’s population has been suffering immensely over the three years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression.
“The ball is in Russia’s court – as it always has been – and now the world will see if Russia is interested in a durable peace. Putin has a history of violating agreements, including ceasefire agreements. This means peace enforcement and long-term security guarantees remain absolutely essential. For this peace to be fair and durable, we also cannot ignore accountability and reparations for Russia’s horrible crimes and destruction. Our task to support Ukraine to reach a fair and durable peace remains unchanged.
“This is a critical juncture for Europe. We have two options. We either support Ukraine now with more weapons, better sanctions enforcement, the confiscation of frozen Russian state assets, and an embargo on Russian fossil fuels imports, or we risk facing the dire consequences of further Russian aggression on the entire European continent and the dismantling of the rules-based international order.”
Source – S&D Group
Renew Europe: Defending Europeans will require immediate action and sacrifices
Strasbourg, March 12, 2025
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.”
Source – Renew Europe Group
Greens/EFA: EU must take responsibility of its own security
Strasbourg, 12 March 2025
Today, the European Parliament is expected to adopt a resolution on the white paper on the future of European defence and to underline the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. The Greens/EFA Group welcomes initiatives such as ReArm Europe, but insists on EU member states finally working closer together on security and defence. EU countries should pool parts of their defence budgets and procure jointly to deliver additional support to Ukraine and expand Europe’s conventional capabilities.
Reinier van Lanschot, Volt MEP in the Greens/EFA Group and shadow rapporteur on the white paper, comments:
“The need for urgent defence investments is high. The EU must show leadership and take responsibility for its own freedom and security. And defense and security go beyond just arms and ammunition – they include cybersecurity, energy independence and investments in European infrastructure, which needs to be improved for military transports.
“It is good that we finally have concrete proposals. We do need to keep two things in mind: the European Parliament should be involved, because the only directly elected body of the EU can not be bypassed on these important decisions. And we need to invest European. If we do more of what we have been doing, 27 uncoordinated actions, we will not create security. For that we need to buy together and invest in European strategic enablers.”
Villy Søvndal, Greens/EFA MEP and shadow rapporteur on the resolution on continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, comments:
“We see a fractured world, in which autocrats are trying to interfere with democratic processes. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we continue to apply pressure on Russia. We should never discount the fact that Ukraine acts as the frontline for Europe in this regard. It is more true than ever that we must stand by Ukraine in its fight for freedom and sovereignty.”
Source – Greens/EFA
ECR Co-Chair Patryk Jaki: “Europe needs defence, not empty words and political hypocrisy”
11 March 2025
In today’s joint debate on the outcome of the European Council, ECR Co-Chair Patryk Jaki issued a strong warning against political hypocrisy and called for real action to strengthen Europe’s security.
While welcoming the general direction of strengthening European defence, Jaki made clear that credible security starts with addressing the EU’s own internal failures, including democratic backsliding in member states and a failed migration policy that undermines European stability.
“There is no doubt who the aggressor is: Russia. And there is no doubt that only credible force can stop Russia. But if you want to talk seriously about Europe’s security, you have to answer the fundamental question: how is Europe safer when elections are cancelled in Romania, when opposition politicians in Poland are deprived of their rights and imprisoned, and when you push a migration policy that makes Europe less stable?” said Mr Jaki.
Mr Jaki also strongly criticised the EU’s failure to act on frozen Russian assets:
“You say you want to help Ukraine, but you keep €300 billion in frozen Russian assets. If you were serious, you would give this money to Ukraine now – enough to finance five years of war. But you won’t, because you’re already preparing your next reset with Russia.”
Finally, Mr Jaki warned that the EU’s internal divisions and the divisions in the West will only embolden Russia:
“Your behaviour puts EU countries bordering Russia in great danger. You won’t stop tanks with empty words. If Europe wants real security, it must stop attacking its allies, stop dividing its own people and start rearming for real
Mr Jaki’s full speech reads:
There’s no doubt who is the aggressor and who is the victim. The aggressor is Russia, and the victim is Ukraine. There’s no doubt that no reset with Russia has ever succeeded and never will. The only thing that can stop Russia is credible force, and the general direction of strengthening European arms capabilities is good.
However, you will not escape from the fundamental questions. You’re talking about the security of Europe—great. I would like to ask you how the security of Europe is served by cancelling elections in Romania and not allowing the candidate with 50 per cent support to run? How does allowing Tusk to destroy the opposition, take away all the public money from the opposition party, and imprison MEPs serve Europe’s security? How do your immigration policy and the Migration Pact serve European security?
And the key question is this: Do you want Europe to defend itself from external threats, or do you want Europeans to kill each other? Instead of integrating Europe in the face of threats, as usual, you choose your particular interest: Ukraine. If the strength of Ukraine grew from the number of your empty words, the Ukrainian army would now be preparing to parade in Moscow.
Do you want to help? You have 300 billion euros of frozen Russian assets. Give them to Ukraine! That will be enough for five years of war. But you won’t do it. You keep it because you want to use it to negotiate further resets with Russia. That is why you keep attacking America, provoking it to leave Europe, while you yourselves do not have the military capabilities to defend the continent.
Your behaviour will put EU countries that border Russia in great danger. President Zelenskyy found this out after the summit in London. You will not provide the army with weapons through your slogans, and that’s why we need to change it.
Source – ECR Group