As EU leaders meet in Copenhagen for the informal European Council, Europe faces a defining moment. Russia’s repeated violations of international law — most recently through incursions into European airspace — underscore both Moscow’s aggressive posture and the pressing need to enable the EU to respond to common threats effectively, autonomously, and in unity.

The EU has committed to ramping up its defence readiness by 2030, and has already taken steps to strengthen capabilities, boost financing, and expand joint procurement in full coherence with NATO.  The Rearm Europe plan is a necessary and welcome starting point.  But to protect our Union and its citizens, we must move beyond piecemeal procurement initiatives, and fragmented Member State defence spending, and towards a fully-fledged European Defence Union (EDU). This requires shared strategic decision-making, a common command structure, joint defence investment and interoperable forces.

Recent polling commissioned by the European Movement International demonstrates that citizens are ready for such a step. A majority of respondents (52%) believe their country should strike a balance between national interest and EU-level collaboration, with strong support for developing common defence and security policies, joint counter-terrorism efforts, and shared military training and operations. Furthermore, 56% of respondents support the creation of a shared European military under common leadership, with particular support for a common EU defence industry, intelligence sharing, and shared bases.

Our recommendations

To meet these expectations and strengthen Europe’s security, the European Movement International urges EU leaders to:

• Establish a fully-fledged European Defence Union (EDU) as the backbone of Europe’s security;
• This requires a common command structure, interoperable forces, and shared strategic decision-making. Our call for a New European Defence Community reflects this vision: Europe must build not only an industrial base but a genuine security architecture that guarantees its collective defence;
• Move beyond common procurement towards truly interoperable forces, a European Military Headquarters, and eventually a shared European military under EU leadership;
• Adopt Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in foreign and defence policy to overcome national vetoes and ensure swift decision-making;
• Guarantee democratic oversight by strengthening the role of the European Parliament in defence matters and increasing transparency in defence spending;
• Ensure that the EU’s commitment to solidarity with Ukraine is matched by coherent long-term support — economic, political, and military — as the frontline of Europe’s security.

In a world of mounting geopolitical instability, Europe cannot afford hesitation. The provocations at our borders, the war against Ukraine, and the uncertainty of transatlantic security all demand that the EU decisively build the capacity to defend itself. Europe must act together and create a European Defence Union.