Reviving a discussion that has been around for decades, but gaining momentum after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kubilius floats Idea of a 100K-soldier-strong European military.

EU Defense commissioner Andrius Kubilius on Sunday floated the idea of creating a “powerful, standing ‘European military force’ of 100,000 troops,” lending his voice to a growing chorus of calls for a common continental defense as Russia threatens its neighbors.

“How will we replace the 100,000-strong American standing military force, which is the back-bone military force in Europe?” the former Lithuanian prime minister asked in a speech in Sweden

At the conference, Kubilius also laid out the case for the creation of a “European Security Council” that “could be composed of key permanent members, along with several rotational members.”

“In total, around 10 to 12 members,” he continued, “with the task to discuss the most important issues in defense,” adding that the power exerted by this type of unified voice could help tip the scales in Ukraine’s defense as it tries to hold off the Russian invasion.

Added: The new position " Commissioner of Defense & Space" exists since december 2024. And is being fulfilled by Andrius Kubilius He’s a former PM of Lithuania

        • Riddick3001@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          22 hours ago

          Well… the point isn’t as clear

          If they are stationed here for some times, could be they have an EU partner , like it here, and they might prefer and want to stay. At least they’ll get payed in time and we’d have some extra personnel. They’ll need to swear a new allegiance though.