Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for the establishment of a European army to respond to the threat from Russia, as the long-time ally United States withdraws from European security.
According to the European edition of the political media outlet Politico, on the 26th (local time), Prime Minister Sanchez said in a speech to the Spanish Parliament, "It is time to create a European army where the troops of the 27 European Union (EU) member states move together under one flag with the same goal."
Sanchez stated, "This is the only way for us to become a true union and ensure lasting peace in Europe."
He said that due to the 'Copernican shift' in the US military and economic policies, Spain and the entire Europe had to completely change their approach to security and defense, adding, "We cannot assume that our airspace, infrastructure, and borders will be protected. We must do it ourselves." Sanchez emphasized, "We cannot live according to the mindset and leadership changes of Moscow or Washington," and said, "Europeans must become the masters of our own destiny and have the capability to influence the fate of the world."
He also stressed that the EU has spent too much time coordinating the different defense strategies of the 27 countries and that now is the time to build a single European defense and security policy with joint financial means.
Sanchez explained that the push for security integration would focus on ensuring interoperability of forces between countries, integrating the defense industry, and strengthening the resilience of the internal market. He also proposed the issuance of joint defense bonds.
However, Politico pointed out that Sanchez did not mention how to overcome the obstacles posed by pro-Russian countries such as Hungary, which have blocked the joint defense initiative.
It also noted that his position conflicts with that of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Kallas, who opposed the creation of a European army earlier this year. At the European Defence Agency (EDA) annual forum on January 22, Kallas stated, "We need 27 European armies that can competently and effectively cooperate to deter competitors and defend Europe, not a single European army."
Furthermore, Politico criticized that Sanchez’s stance conflicts with Spain’s actual defense spending. Spain is considered one of the NATO allies with the lowest defense expenditure. According to NATO statistics, last year Spain spent only 1.3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, far below NATO’s target of at least 2%. Spain plans to reach this target by 2029.
In his speech, Sanchez did not specifically mention how to finance defense spending but emphasized, "I will not cut a single cent from social and environmental budgets."
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