Criticizing The Idea Of Forming European Armies, Kremlin: Not Enhancing Security And Stability

JAKARTA - Implementation of the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell's idea to form a European army will not increase security on the continent, Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"We know Mr. Borrel is not a proponent of diplomatic methods to resolve disputes," Peskov said Monday as quoted by TASS on May 24.

"Contrary to the post he has taken, he has persistently and publicly demonstrated his commitment to acting from a position of strength," he continued, recalling Borrell's assertion that the Ukraine issue must be resolved on the battlefield.

Regarding Borrell's statement supporting the formation of a European army, Peskov said this idea implies militarization of the EU and increasing Ukraine's military potential.

"This is what will not promote security and stability on the European continent," Peskov said.

In his blog Sunday, Borrell said the EU needs its own troops to keep it safe. According to him, the current security environment is clear evidence that the European Union should assume greater responsibility for its security.

For this, he said, the alliance needed an up-to-date and compatible European army, which would seek to build on its capabilities.

In March, the European Union announced it was authorizing the creation of a 5,000 fast-moving force, independent of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), reports The Washington Post.

But in discussing the developments, Josep Borrell, quickly ruled out a bolder move: "We don't want to form a European army," he said.

"It's not about creating a European army. But the gravity of the situation in Eastern Europe makes it clearer than ever that that's how it should be. Setting up a military EU would not only provide important protection from the aggression of the kind on display in Ukraine; it would also be the next logical step in European integration."

Last year, Borrell said the European Union should have the ability to deploy a significant force of rapid reaction forces to be better prepared for future crises.

According to him, it is important for the European Union to be able to mobilize a significant number of rapid reaction forces, reflecting on the experience of the large-scale withdrawal of Western troops and the exodus of foreigners from Afghanistan.

"We need to take lessons from this experience. As Europeans, we haven't been able to send 6,000 troops around Kabul airport to secure the area. The US has, we haven't," he said.

Borrell said the 27 EU members should have an 'initial force' of 5,000 troops, who could be dispatched quickly.

"We must be able to act quickly," said Borrell.

Previously, in May 14 European Union countries, including Germany and France, proposed such a force, possibly supported by warships and warplanes, to assist democratic foreign governments in need of urgent assistance.