The Russian invasion of Ukraine It changed the world, but also the thoughts of a significant number of European citizens… including a good part of the leaders. Since the first steps of Putin’s troops in Donbas, kyiv and other points, the European Union.
That noise, which has not stopped ringing, has returned, which has NATO in suspense and, therefore, to the majority of European countries, partners of the Atlantic alliance. Nothing less than 24 of the 27 EU members belong to NATOwhich is made up of 32 states. In summary, community countries make up 75% of the members of the Atlantic alliance.
Spain plays a central role in this concerngiven the . And now, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has taken a step forward by demanding the creation and development of a European army as a measure to ensure that Europe is “free of pressure” from the US.
In , Albares acknowledged that “we can’t wake up every morning wondering what the United States will do next…our citizens deserve better.”
“We must free ourselves from dependence. Freedom from dependency means freedom from coercion, whether through tariffs or the use of military threat. And free oneself from the consequences of the decisions of others,” says Albares, who speaks directly of this as “the moment of sovereignty and independence of Europe.” Something that happens, he clarifies, because “the Americans invite us to it.”
It is explained by a convinced Atlanticist who insists on recognizing that “for me the US is the natural and historical ally of the Europeans.” But Albares maintains that “we need the support of both Europeans and Americans. And we must accept that the Trump administration has a new vision and new ideas about transatlantic relations.”
Albares looks further and, thinking about a future European army, demands a formula of mutual defense similar to NATO Article 5. Although the European Union has its own ‘version’ in the article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union 2009 in Lisbon, its military dependence until now reduces the effect of a possible coordinated response against a common enemy.
“The magic of NATO lies in the fact that you are part of it and nothing happens because no one dares to check if Article 5 really works or not.” […] That is what we have to recreate: deterrence. If you want to mess with me, go somewhere else. Because we will be united.”
