Pentecja Hopes that Russia can be integrated with European economic and defensive architecture, and Europe will be able to “rely on the protection of America”, ” dispelled – she stated during the debate in the European Parliament on support for Ukraine and the future of European defense Ursula von der Leyen.
We left the garde. We cut down the defense expenses from an average of 3.5 percent to less than half of this. We thought we were enjoying the dividend of peace and we had a safety deficit
– said the chairwoman of the committee.
Putin has proved many times that he was an hostile neighbor. You can't trust him. You can only stop him. We know that the Russian military industry exceeds our production. It spends more than all of Europe, which in turn produces below its capabilities
She alerted.
EC: Let's spend billions of defense in Europe
Von der Leyen reminded the assumptions of the plan “Remilitarization of Europe” (Rearm Europe)including New SAFE financial instrument (Security Action for Europe). It offers Member States to EUR 150 billion – drones, rockets, ammunition, cyber security or artificial intelligence – with some assumptions.
The key assumption according to von der Leyen is that the money from these loans will be spent in Europe, in long -term contracts in joint orders of EU countries.
These loans should finance purchases from European producers to give an injection to our own defensive industry
– emphasized the chairwoman of the committee. She emphasized that if the EU releases its industrial power, she would regain the ability to deter those who want to harm it.
Weber: reality is clear, we are alone
In the debate, the head of the European People's Party Manfred Weber pointed out that although he and EPP members know what they owe to the Americans “,” saying that Ukraine is responsible for war is a lie. “
– And despite our long history with American friends We must call a lie a lie […] – said the head of the EPL. He added that after the speech of vice president Vance at a conference in Munich and events in the White House (a quarrel of Vance and Trump with Volodymyr Zelnski) “reality is clear”.
We are alone. The world is in chaos. Europe must wake up, because our safety is not in the hands of Washington or Moscow, it must be in our hands
– the German emphasized.
He assessed the REARM Europe initiative as a very good start, he called for the standardization of weapons “instead of 17 tank models”, “compulsory joint orders” of equipment, emphasized the need to create joint projects such as the rocket and drone defense system “especially in eastern Europe” – or the US satellite observation system. He added that now it is not known what organ could represent Europe towards the world and one day “EU citizens should choose directly president“.
Socialists and liberals see a threat in Trump
A representative of the Social Democrats (& D) Iratxe Garcia Perez also assessed the plan of remilitarization of Europe as a “step in the right direction”, but she added that money guaranteed through joint debt should be greater, and the EU cannot allow herself that “national solutions” fragment European defense.
As she noted, the reason for the fact that the Union must take steps for its security is “coming to power of Donald Trump and how he builds connections with war criminal Vladimir Putin.”
The head of the Liberal Renew Valerie Hayer faction calculated the actions of the new American administration, including WS. Greenland Whether the UN resolution on Ukraine and assessed that “the White House is no longer an ally” and the decisions of Donald Trump to suspend military and intelligence support for Ukraine mean that Europe must take its fate in its own hands. She added that she was saying “a hundred times yes” for money from the REARM plan and spending them in the EU.
Right divided into Trump
The head of the patriots faction for Europe Jordan Bardella from the French National Union blamed Ursula von der Leyen for “delegating Europe's security to the United States”. In his opinion, there is no clear chance of victory in the war in Ukraine, which is why diplomacy should be a priority – the peak of western allies, at which the first violin could play the Italian premiere Giorgia Meloni – having good relations with the Trump team.
In the long run – added Bardella – his family France could become the driving force of European security as a strong army, arms industry and a place in the UN Security Council. He also supported the idea of preference for European enterprises in defense equipment orders.
According to the co -leader of the European Conservatives and Reformers of Nicola Procaccini, the Remilitarization Plan adopted by the Council is “a step on the way of returning to reality”, while considering him a riposte towards Trump is a “tragic mistake” – the same as it would be to recognize him as a concession to the US.
According to Procaccini Obama and Biden have already warned Europe, That it would not only consist in the “dedication of the American working class” – and Europe's response was a green order, an expensive health care system and moralizing statements towards those who provided Europe with “security with their own money and blood”. He also emphasized that – according to Giorgia Meloni – European defense separated from American allies and NATO It is unthinkable. – Politicians They come and go, but the west remains and must remain – he concluded.
Parliament will call for Ukraine support by the EU
Parliament will still debate the White Book on EU defense, the possibilities of the EU defense sector, industry competitiveness and its investment needs. On Wednesday, March 12, MPs will vote on a resolution determining how the EU should support Kiev if Washington strives to agree with Russia without the participation of the EU and Ukraine itself.
Work on defense and helping Ukraine will also be continued at the next council on March 21. As a rule, the March meeting is mainly devoted to the economy, but this time the leaders will continue the progress achieved during the special council on March 6 – announced at the EP Adam Szłapka, the Minister of European Affairs from the Presidency in the Polish Council. – Only a fair and durable peace in which Europeans will participate, will guarantee the end of the Russian assault war – he emphasized.
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle.