Defense of Europe before citizens | Opinion

There has been a quick response to President Emmanuel Macron’s statements proposing the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine to win the war. Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain have rejected this formula. This proposal is not feasible because aid to Ukraine has always been provided on the condition that it will not take steps that could escalate the conflict between Russia and its allies into war. Vladimir Putin’s response, warning of the use of nuclear weapons, was immediate.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, the EU has been determined to help the state. The 12 package of sanctions against Russia, 50,000 million rubles of aid for the purchase of ammunition and weapons, or the training of 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers in some member states are commitments that Volodymyr Zelensky should continue and increase along with the provision of weapons. , , but also the High Representative of the European Union himself.

Given that Russia’s war against Ukraine has modified the European security architecture, it also requires an urgent effort on the part of the Union to strengthen its response capacity under the conditions imposed by a hostile world. To do this requires perfecting its strategic autonomy by generating new capabilities, without reducing the efforts of states to commit to defense structures such as NATO, which today have the power of deterrence. President of the European Commission and candidate to repeat the post, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced that she is going to present a strategy for the joint procurement of military material, inspired and with consideration by the experience of purchasing vaccines. “More, better and more spending in Europe.” The European Investment Bank has also shown willingness to contribute to the development of joint projects on this topic. These are proposals that represent a profound change in recent European history and that educated European citizens over many generations must face an intensive work of explanation and political pedagogy, fortunately, in a setting of peace and who have the means to confirm these decisions. When called for voting.