EU's shift towards ‘war economy’ amid Russia tensions
European Council President Charles Michel has warned that the European Union needs to ramp up its military production and shift to a war economy in response to an alleged threat posed by Russia.
This has caused international alarm and mixed reactions in Europe.
Earlier this week, Michel asserted in an opinion editorial, published by a media outlet which specializes in EU affairs, that if Europe wants peace, it must prepare for war.
Although the EU's military manufacturing capacity has increased by 50% since the start of the Ukraine-Russia war in 2022, far more is needed to meet its needs.
Our European awakening is just beginning to take shape. I would like to tell you what I feel; the time has come to create a real union of defense coupled with a true defense market.
European Council President, Charles Michel
Michelle added that the European Union must finally take responsibility for its own security.
For decades, the European Union has relied heavily on the United States and the Western military alliance NATO for its security.
Analysts believe that the dependency on external powers by the 27-member bloc has resulted in a complete loss of its own geopolitical and strategic autonomy.
At this point in time, the EU cannot be militarily independent. It can't adopt autonomous strategies; today Europe must create its own defense system so that in 30 years time, it can really be geopoliticaly autonomous.
If we continue to put national interests ahead, all individual states, including Italy, would lose geopolitical relevance.
Professor Giuseppe Bettoni, Tor Vergata University of Rome
Michelle's remarks come as Ukrainian and international politicians and experts are warning that ammunition shortages are resulting in the loss of territory to Russia.
Russia is trying to keep Germany under pressure demanding, together with the French government, that Berlin provide Ukraine with long range cruise missiles.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far said no to this request to avoid a war escalation, adding that each country has already provided Kyiv with arms for €7 billion, while France is struggling to pay for Ukraine military aid.
Alberto Negri, Geopolitical Analyst
On Wednesday, the former Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, accused the current prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, of dragging Italy into World War III after having turned the country into an irrelevant subjugated power.
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