Europe should strengthen its protection capabilities and shift to a “conflict economic system” mode in response to the risk posed by Russia, European Council President Charles Michel stated on Monday.
In an op-ed printed in European newspapers and the Euractiv web site, Michel – who will chair a gathering of EU leaders on Thursday to debate assist for Ukraine – stated Europe wanted to take accountability for its personal safety and never rely closely on the assist of nations such because the US
“If we don’t get the EU’s response proper and don’t give Ukraine sufficient assist to cease Russia, we’re subsequent. We should due to this fact be defense-ready and shift to a ‘conflict economic system’ mode,” Michel stated.
“If we would like peace, we should put together for conflict,” he stated.
Michel stated whereas Europe had made strides since Moscow‘s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine – together with by rising army manufacturing capability by 50% – way more was wanted and, for many years, Europe had not invested sufficient in its safety and protection.
Michel urged EU international locations to make sure Ukraine obtained what it wanted on the battlefield – together with by spending EU cash on army gear, and utilizing windfall income from Russia’s immobilized property to buy arms for Ukraine.
He urged international locations to facilitate investments in protection – together with by contemplating altering the mandate of the EU lending arm, the European Funding Financial institution, to permit it to assist Europe’s protection business.
Funding Ukraine’s conflict towards Russia
EU international locations authorized an settlement on Monday to extend the EU’s assist for Ukraine’s armed forces by 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) – amid warnings that Kyiv’s forces want extra sources to carry the road towards a bigger Russian military as a $60 billion US assist package deal for Ukraine is being held up by Congress.
($1 = 0.9199 euros)
