EU must invest more in its own security – Greens/EFA call for more and fresh money for Ukraine
EUCO
Ahead of the summit of EU heads of governments today and tomorrow (Thursday/Friday, 20/21 March), the co-chairs of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament are calling for more European coordination and cooperation on security and defence policy, financing, more purchases of military equipment ‘Made in Europe’ and more financial support for Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has proposed further aid measures for Ukraine of up to €40 billion.
Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:
“Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine and an erratically acting US president make the EU's security independence the order of the day. The EU cannot rely on a US president whose compass is set on questionable deals with autocrats like Vladimir Putin. EU member states must work more closely together, pool defence budgets and jointly produce and procure defence equipment. We need more European coordination in security and defence policy.
"Vladimir Putin shows no serious desire for a genuine peace process in Ukraine. Ukraine's defence needs more and fresh money and military equipment. Ukraine and the EU must be at the negotiation table when it comes to the country's future. We cannot leave it to Viktor Orbán to decide on the fight for freedom and Ukraine's EU membership.”
Bas Eickhout, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, commented:
“The EU must finally stand on its own two feet in terms of security policy. Made in Europe must become a seal of security and defence policy independence. The fight for freedom in Ukraine must not be allowed to fail because the EU insists on the straitjacket of the deficit rules of the Stability and Growth Pact. Those rules have proven to be outdated, also Eurobonds must no longer be taboo.
“Europe’s green agenda is the same as its security agenda: the current geopolitical developments show we need to get independent fast from countries like Russia, China and the US. While at the same time massive investments in renewable energies and technologies will put the EU at the forefront of global competition.”
