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EU Pushes For New Military Alliance With Its Own Army—And Ukraine Could Be Part Of It
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The European Union’s Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed creating a new intergovernmental defense alliance that could include a permanent European army, amid concerns over the long-term role of the United States in European security.
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According to Euractiv on April 17, Kubilius presented the initiative during a conference of the European Commission’s Legal Service, suggesting that current EU treaties may be insufficient to support a полноценный European defense structure.
He called for a new treaty framework that would enable deeper military integration and allow Europe to act more independently in defense matters.
“Current treaties and the institutions built on them are a help or a hindrance for European defense to act as Europe, not just as a collection of 27 countries? I call for the creation of a true European Defence Union, which would include the United Kingdom, Norway and Ukraine. And for this, let us conclude a new additional intergovernmental treaty,” Kubilius said.
According to Euractiv, the proposal outlines several elements that go beyond the EU’s current legal framework, including the creation of a European Security Council with permanent members, a standing force of up to 100,000 troops, and a dedicated military headquarters.
Kubilius also raised the possibility of joint EU-level stockpiles and coordinated defense planning under a new legal structure.
The initiative comes as Washington signals a strategic shift toward the Indo-Pacific region, prompting renewed debate within Europe about strengthening its own defense capabilities. Statements by US President Donald Trump have further intensified discussions on reinforcing the “European pillar” within NATO, according to Euractiv.
Efforts to expand defense cooperation within the EU have already accelerated since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The bloc has launched programs such as the €500 million ASAP initiative to boost ammunition production and the €150 billion SAFE program aimed at increasing joint procurement and industrial capacity.
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According to Euractiv, the European Commission is also preparing guidance on the use of the EU’s mutual defense clause, Article 42.7, following recent security incidents in Cyprus that led to the deployment of European forces.
Kubilius suggested that a new defense alliance could extend beyond EU member states, potentially including Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Norway. However, it remains unclear whether the proposal will advance beyond the stage of political discussion.
Earlier, European officials raised the prospect of a pan-European army as tensions with Washington escalated, with Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stating that recent US positions on NATO and security were pushing Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities, according to Reuters on April 7.
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