It’s not how much money we spend, it is how we spend it
In response to NATO chief Mark Rutte’s press conference on the outcome of the NATO summit, Reinier van Lanschot, member of the defence committee in the European Parliament responds: “Today’s NATO agreement on a 5% of GDP is hopeful for the future of European defence and safety. However, money alone will not solve our problems. It is not how much money we spend, it is how we spend it. This question remained unanswered this morning.“
The 25 Ukrainian civilians who died after Russian attacks yesterday show that the Russian threat is real. Experts warn that the US will probably announce major troop withdrawals from Europe over the summer. Meanwhile, European intelligence services estimate Russia could be willing and able to attack a European NATO country between six months and three years after a ceasefire in Ukraine. According to Volt, the next step is working towards a fully autonomous European defence with its own command and control, strategic enablers and permanent forces.
Van Lanschot: “NATO allies bought themselves time, but we cannot sit back and wait. We must use this time to make sure that Europe is ready to be independent from the US take care of its own defence.”
Let’s use this money to strengthen Ukraine. Let’s use the money to Europeanize NATO, so the US are not a ‘’need to have’’ but a ‘’nice to have’’. A NATO with a fully functioning European Army at its core.
Our plans
You can find our detailed 3-point plan for a European NATO in the attachment.
Volt’s research bureau Charge published an extensive research last week, carried out by the renowned think-tank CEPS, laying out scenarios on the road to a full European Defence. It shows that it isn’t just desirable, but also possible for Europe to be fully in charge of its own defence.
This is how Europe can defend itself against more Russian aggression.
This is how Europe takes responsibility for its own future.
This is how Europe finally grows up.
Read our full 3-point plan for a European NATO
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