Vladislav Grigoriev09:11, 14.03.25
In particular, the EU wants to produce more weapons within the bloc, as well as make it easier to finance defense projects.
The European Union is set to launch a massive project to build up its own defense industry. It is aimed at containing Russia and supporting Ukraine while the United States retreats from the continent, according to a draft of the “White Paper on Defense” seen by Politico .
“Restoring European defence requires massive investment over a long period of time,” the draft says.
It is noted that the document was prepared by EU Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius and the EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas. The project is planned to be presented to EU leaders next week.
The publication stressed that the key elements of the new EU policy include a preference for weapons production within the bloc and “similar companies from third countries,” encouraging joint arms purchases, facilitating the financing of defense projects, focusing on key areas where the bloc lacks capabilities, such as air defense and military mobility, and reducing bureaucracy in defense investment. The driving force behind the new policy is countering Russia.
“Russia poses an existential threat to the EU and, given its past record of invading its neighbours and its current expansionist policies, the need to deter Russian armed aggression will remain even after a fair and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine has been concluded,” the document says.
The EU will also focus on ensuring that Ukraine can continue to repel Russian attacks. The White Paper on Defence says that Ukraine will not be able to negotiate a just and lasting peace from a position of strength without significant additional military resources, especially now that the US has suspended its support.
The publication shared that the document contains 20 pages. They describe the change in US policy towards Ukraine, Europe and NATO.
“Europe cannot take US security guarantees for granted and must significantly increase its contribution to preserving NATO,” the draft says.
The White Paper on Defence acknowledges that Europe has become dependent on American military capabilities. This creates the risk that the US may reconsider its approach and decide to limit the use or even stop making these support capabilities available to its European partners.
The publication reported that the document identifies seven key areas for priority EU investment:
- air and missile defense;
- artillery systems;
- ammunition and missiles;
- drones and counter-drones systems;
- military mobility;
- AI, quantum, cyber and electronic warfare;
- strategic support assets, combat potential and critical infrastructure protection.
The document also says that EU member states will remain in charge, while some European states are concerned about Brussels interfering in their spheres of national sovereignty.
“Member States are responsible for their armed forces – from doctrine development to deployment. The radically changed strategic context, coupled with the acute shortage of forces and capabilities among Member States, however, requires much greater cooperation between Member States to restore their defence,” the document says.
One of the first steps recommended is to approve a proposed relaxation of the bloc’s fiscal rules, which would make it easier to increase defence spending. Then EU countries are advised to agree to cooperate on 35% of defence spending, and also to approve a €1.5 billion European Defence Industrial Programme. After that, it is recommended to agree with NATO on critical capability areas.
The document also mentions a number of measures to provide assistance to Ukraine. Among them are the provision of 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, continued training of Ukrainian troops, placing orders in the Ukrainian defense industry, closer involvement of Ukraine in the EU military financing schemes, as well as the expansion of the bloc’s military mobility corridors to cover the whole of Ukraine.
(C)UNIAN 2025