Europe must create a unified defense system to deter Russia
The European Union urgently needs to form an integrated defense structure that can effectively resist Russian aggression and strengthen the security of the continent. This was stated by the President of the European Council, António Costa, after the end of the meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, emphasizing that the current challenges call into question the traditional approach to the national defense of individual states. In his speech, Costa emphasized that the modern world has witnessed the growth of security threats, in particular Russian aggression, which has become a challenge for the entire European community. According to him, Europe cannot afford to remain torn apart by a series of national defense systems that operate on the principle of isolation and duplication. On the contrary, it is necessary to create a single, coordinated platform that can respond promptly to threats, ensuring common security and stability. Costa called for attention to the unnecessary duplication of defense capabilities in each member state, emphasizing that such a practice leads to a waste of resources and reduces the effectiveness of protective measures. He proposed to focus on consolidating efforts through joint procurement of weapons, unification of standards, development of the European military industry and attraction of private capital. This should contribute not only to increasing defense capabilities, but also to creating new jobs in the EU. Noting the importance of implementing this course, Costa emphasized that the formation of a common defense system is a key step towards strengthening the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the European Union. “We must build a single European defense system and effectively deter any aggression. Multiplying capabilities in each individual state is not an option. We need efficiency and a fair distribution of the burden among all members of the union,” he noted. The first phase of investment in European defence is already underway under this strategy, in particular through the SAFE instrument, a new financial mechanism designed to optimise spending and strengthen the EU's strategic autonomy. Costa added that achieving the goals requires combining efforts and investments, working as a single team through joint procurement, standardisation and the promotion of European research and production. "We are working to increase cost efficiency, joint investment and pool resources - all in order to ensure the security of our citizens and strengthen Europe's position on the international stage," Costa concluded.