EU Submits Plan to Militarize Borders with Russia and Belarus

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Guillaume Périgois

JAKARTA - The European Commission presented a plan to support EU countries bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, which includes increased defense funding, modernization of dual-use infrastructure, and strengthening border security.

"The European Commission has adopted a comprehensive strategy to increase support for the eastern regions of the EU bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine," the Commission said in a statement quoted by Sputnik, Thursday, February 19.

"Several regions of nine member states - Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria - are particularly affected by hybrid warfare, armed migration, economic and trade disruptions, and demographic decline," the commission continued.

The EU detailed that the support includes increased funding for defense, border management, and internal security, as well as the modernization of transport networks and dual-use infrastructure for security and development.

According to the European Commission fact sheet, a total loan support of 28 billion euros (about Rp) is planned for the relevant member states until the end of 2027. Loans will be channelled through the participation of international financial institutions and national development banks.

In recent years, Russia has highlighted unprecedented NATO activity along its western borders. The Kremlin says Russia is not threatening anyone, but will not ignore actions that could potentially harm its interests.

During an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had no intention of attacking NATO countries and called the move unreasonable.

Putin said Western politicians routinely scare their populations with alleged Russian threats to distract from domestic problems.