US approach to Ukraine shows EU urgently needs to invest in own security & defence
Ukraine
On today's (17 February) meeting between EU leaders in Paris following the Munich Security Conference, Greens/EFA Co-Presidents Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout comment:
Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:
“Trump‘s actions during his first weeks in office and J.D. Vance’s comments at the Munich Security Conference are a wake up call for Europe. The EU must be able to stand on its own feet and provide for our own security and defence. This will require increased and more efficient investment and a reorientation in our approach. This is about the future of Europe and peace on our continent, now is not the time for hesitation and procrastination. The time has come for an EU defence facility, that pools common spending more efficiently. We need much more and smarter public investment in security and defence. The unanimity principle stands in the way of courageous decisions and should be abolished.
“There must be no decision about Ukraine without Ukraine. Ukraine and the European Union must be at the table when the future of Ukraine is negotiated. We stand firmly with Ukraine. Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be secured. Ukraine needs security guarantees and massive further support to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression.”
Bas Eickhout MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:
“Between the security speeches and the announcements on tariffs, this is an electric shock to Europe’s security and economy. Our response must be to act fast, unite and not be held back by laggards and Moscow-friendly populist governments in the EU. This is a defining moment for us all and we must hold no taboos when it comes to money for Ukraine, defence and industry. Member States have to act now and they have to act together.
“We must invest more in our security, more efficiently and in a more coordinated way. Europe must step up its game now when it comes to Ukraine. We cannot allow the future of our friend and future EU member Ukraine to be cut down and carved up in some shady deal between Mar-a-Lago and Moscow.”
