The European Union Encourages Increasing Joint Defense Amid Concerns Over Russia-US

Head of European Union Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @kajajalallas

JAKARTA - Europe should further increase its military budget, unite resources on joint defense projects, and buy more European weapons.

This future picture is contained in the EU blueprint launched on Wednesday, March 19. The policy is driven by concerns over Russia and doubts about the future of US protection.

The European Commission, the EU executive body, submitted the proposal in the White Book on defense, which aims to ensure Europe has a "strong and adequate" defensive posture by 2030.

"International commanders are experiencing major changes that have not occurred since 1945. This is an important moment for European security," European Union Head of Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels.

Kallas said the Russian economy was in a "full mode of war", with 40% of its federal budget allocated to the military. "Despite ongoing negotiations for peace in Ukraine, this is a long-term investment in a long-term aggression plan," he said.

EU countries are starting to increase their own defenses in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine by 2022. They are increasing their defense budget by more than 30% between 2021 and 2024.

However, their efforts have become more pressing as the restoration of US President Donald Trump's relations with Russia and the US warning about European security could no longer be Washington's main focus.

"450 million EU citizens should not have relied on 340 million Americans to defend themselves from 140 million Russians, who cannot beat 38 million Ukrainians," said European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.

"We can really do better. It's time for us to take responsibility for Europe's defense," he stressed.