The EU could create an army of 100,000 soldiers: a response to threats without the US.

According to ТСН: The European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, believes that the EU should seriously consider forming a permanent armed force of 100,000 soldiers.

He voiced this idea at the security conference "Europe Under Pressure" in the Swedish city of Selen.

Criticism of modern European armed forces

Kubilius noted that European armies are in a deplorable state, calling them "bonsai armies." He proposed to implement the long-awaited idea of creating a powerful military grouping of the EU.

"The first question. If Americans withdraw from Europe, how can we create a European NATO defense? Who will be responsible for European security? What about European command and control capabilities, about European headquarters? Most importantly — how will we replace the 100,000 permanent American military presence, which is the foundation of military power in Europe? Who will form our European permanent 'skeleton' military force? The Germans, a combination of 27 'bonsai' armies, armies that look good but are cut down, reduced?"

Proposal for new armed forces

Kubilius immediately proposed a solution.

"Or, as Jean-Claude Juncker, Emmanuel Macron, and Angela Merkel suggested ten years ago, and what is now supported by experts and Europeans — the creation of powerful permanent European armed forces numbering 100,000 soldiers?"

Calls for independence in defense policy

At the same time, the deputy speaker of the French parliament, Clément Geyette, proposed a resolution for France to withdraw from NATO. She explains this step by the radical foreign policy of US President Donald Trump, particularly blaming the US for the kidnapping of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and supporting Israel's actions in Gaza.

The head of Spain's Foreign Ministry, José Manuel Albares, called for the creation of an army for the European Union and ensuring the independence of the defense industry from "third parties," emphasizing that Russian aggression is the main threat to the continent's security.

The situation in Europe requires a reassessment of security approaches. Problems with maintaining military readiness in the face of external threats force countries to seek new solutions, such as creating their own armed forces capable of adequately responding to contemporary challenges. There is a growing need for greater autonomy in defense matters, which is becoming increasingly relevant against the backdrop of changes in global politics.