EU foreign policy chief warns European army would be dangerous

Monday 02 - 16:20

By: Dakir Madiha

EU foreign policy chief warns European army would be dangerous

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat for foreign affairs, dismissed calls for a dedicated European military force on Monday, cautioning that it could prove extremely hazardous by muddling NATO's command structure during crises. Speaking at the Oslo Security Conference alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, she countered recent suggestions from European defense commissioner Andrius Kubilius for a standing army of 100,000 troops. "Those advocating a European army may not have considered the practicalities," Kallas stated. "If you're already in NATO, creating a separate force simply doesn't work."

At the core of her concerns lies the vital issue of military authority. In a crisis, she emphasized, the key asset remains a clear chain of command, determining who issues orders to whom. NATO's operations fall under a Supreme Allied Commander Europe, a role long held by senior U.S. officers and currently filled by Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. Introducing a parallel European army, Kallas warned, would lead to dangerous finger-pointing between the two entities.

Støre echoed these reservations, noting NATO's established decision-making process among allies, which, though complex, has been refined over time. He described a European army as a path to avoid. Norway, while not an EU member, maintains close security ties with the bloc.

The discussion gains urgency amid transatlantic strains, fueled by former U.S. President Donald Trump's past threats over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Though Trump backed away from tariff threats at last month's Davos Forum, his comments have prompted Europe to reassess its reliance on American military protection. Kubilius pitched his permanent force idea at a Swedish security conference in January, arguing Europe must prepare for potentially reduced U.S. troop presence. He criticized fragmented national armies as "bonsai" forces unable to fight cohesively.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte rejected similar ideas last week before EU parliamentarians, insisting Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. support. "If anyone believes the EU or Europe alone can manage defense without the United States, keep dreaming," he said. An independent setup, he added, would demand 10% of GDP in spending—double the current 5% target—and nuclear capabilities. Rutte cautioned that such a force would complicate matters, a scenario he said Russian President Vladimir Putin would welcome.

Kallas advocated bolstering European defense capabilities within NATO's framework instead. Last week, she stressed that these efforts must complement the alliance, urging leaders not to discard it. Among the EU's 27 members, 23 also belong to NATO, sharing forces and command structures that cannot be readily duplicated. European nations pledged to hit 5% GDP defense spending by 2035, as agreed at last year's NATO summit in The Hague.