The European Parliament is calling for urgent action to strengthen the EU’s security, warning that "business as usual" is no longer viable in the face of growing threats.
A turning point for European security
In a resolution passed on Wednesday, MEPs urged the EU to take immediate steps to secure its own defense. They emphasized the need for stronger alliances with like-minded partners and reducing dependency on non-EU nations.
The upcoming “White Paper” on European defense, expected next week from the European Commission and the High Representative, should present concrete proposals to the European Council. MEPs insist that these measures must be “truly ground-breaking” and as decisive as wartime actions. They also welcomed the recent ReArm plan as a step in the right direction.
The EU as a security provider
To ensure peace and stability, the EU must support Ukraine and enhance its own resilience, MEPs argue. The resolution highlights that Europe faces its most serious military threat since the Cold War and calls on EU members, NATO allies, and international partners to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons against Russian military targets.
MEPs identify Russia and its allies—Belarus, China, North Korea, and Iran—as the most significant threats to the EU. The resolution also expresses concern over recent statements from the Trump administration, raising questions about the future of US commitment to NATO and European security. In response, MEPs insist that the EU’s defense efforts must be larger, more coordinated, and delivered faster across military, industrial, technological, and intelligence sectors.
Preparing for extreme security scenarios
The resolution calls for the EU to speed up its response mechanisms in the event of war or large-scale crises. While recognizing the importance of EU-NATO cooperation, MEPs stress the need for an independent European defense pillar within NATO that can act autonomously when required.
To strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities, MEPs propose:
- A unified long-term vision for the European defense industry
- Increased joint procurement of military equipment among EU nations
- A simpler decision-making process for defense policies
- The creation of a Council of Defense Ministers
- Moving from unanimity to qualified majority voting on most EU defense decisions, except for military operations with an executive mandate
Urgent funding for European defense
MEPs warn that without significant investment, the EU will fail to meet both its military commitments to Ukraine and its broader security objectives. They stress that urgent needs cannot wait for the next EU budget cycle and demand immediate alternative funding solutions.
One proposal is to introduce European defense bonds, allowing large-scale military investments to be financed without delay.
The resolution was adopted with 419 votes in favor, 204 against, and 46 abstentions.