The European Union stands at a turning point. The era of “business as usual” is over. Confronted with escalating threats and direct assaults on European security, the bloc must take urgent and decisive action to safeguard its stability and protect its citizens.
The European Parliament, in a resolution adopted on Wednesday, has sent a clear signal: the EU must act now to secure its future.
At the heart of this transformation lies a fundamental shift in European defence policy. No longer can the continent afford to rely on external powers or fragmented efforts. Instead, MEPs are calling for a united, strategic approach, strengthening ties with like-minded partners while reducing reliance on non-EU states.
This marks a historic departure from the EU’s traditionally cautious stance on defence, signalling a move towards a more self-sufficient and proactive European security framework.
A White Paper for the Future of Defence
Next week, the European Commission and the High Representative are expected to unveil a White Paper on the future of European defence. This document is set to lay the groundwork for “truly ground-breaking efforts” and propose measures akin to wartime preparations. With tensions at their highest since the Cold War, Parliament has underscored the necessity of such a bold move, welcoming the recently tabled ReArm plan as an important step in the right direction.
A key element of this shift is the EU’s emerging role as a genuine security provider. To achieve lasting peace and stability, the Union must not only support Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression but also bolster its own resilience. MEPs have acknowledged that Europe is facing an existential threat to its territorial integrity.
As a result, the resolution calls on all member states, along with international partners and NATO allies, to lift restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons against Russian military targets, marking an escalation in the EU’s approach to countering Moscow’s aggression.
Russia, bolstered by allies including Belarus, China, North Korea, and Iran, remains the most significant threat to European security, according to MEPs. The resolution highlights growing concerns over the shifting stance of the United States under the Trump administration, which has raised uncertainties about Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO and European security. Parliament has also condemned recent US threats against Greenland, viewing them as yet another destabilising factor in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.
Against this backdrop, the EU can no longer afford to maintain a fragmented or sluggish defence strategy. MEPs argue that Europe must ramp up its efforts across military, industrial, technological, and intelligence sectors to meet the scale of the challenge ahead. This will require a streamlined decision-making process, faster responses to crises, and a greater sense of urgency in deploying resources where they are needed most.
The resolution underscores the importance of allowing EU institutions to operate with increased efficiency and speed in the event of war or a large-scale security crisis. While NATO remains a cornerstone of European defence, MEPs advocate for the establishment of a fully capable European pillar within NATO, one that can act independently when required.
A central demand of Parliament is the need for a clear, long-term vision for the European defence industry. To achieve this, the EU must significantly increase joint procurement of military equipment from its own member states, rather than relying on third parties. Furthermore, MEPs call for a substantial simplification of European defence decision-making, including the establishment of a dedicated council of defence ministers and a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting on security-related decisions—except for military operations requiring an executive mandate.
Without a dramatic increase in defence spending, the EU will fall short of its strategic security objectives. Parliament warns that neither military support to Ukraine nor broader European defence ambitions can be met without urgent and substantial investment. The current budget framework is inadequate to address the immediate threats Europe faces.
In response, MEPs have proposed innovative funding mechanisms to close the gap, including the introduction of European defence bonds—large-scale military investments financed at the European level. This move would mark a significant departure from traditional national funding models and reflect a broader commitment to collective security.
The resolution adopted by the European Parliament makes one thing clear: the EU is at a defining moment. The choices made in the coming months will determine the continent’s security landscape for generations. Europe can no longer afford to be reactive or divided. If it is to remain a strong, independent force on the global stage, it must take ownership of its security, invest in its defence industry, and forge a united front against emerging threats.
The upcoming White Paper will provide a crucial opportunity for the EU to chart a new course. Whether member states rise to the occasion and embrace this shift will be the true test of European resolve. One thing, however, is certain: in today’s world, strategic ambiguity is no longer an option. The EU must act, and it must act decisively.
Main Image: Photographer: Philippe STIRNWEISS © European Union 2025 – Source : EP
