“If you think Europe can ever defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming.”
That’s what Mark Rutte told us during a visit to the European Parliament.
When I heard it, I immediately thought: we need to prove him wrong.
This is not a dream, it’s a necessity.
Russia is waging war in Ukraine, constantly does hybrid attacks on the EU, and is preparing for more war with the rest of Europe. After the past two years, relying on the US for our security is a dangerous gamble. We need Europe to be able to defend itself independently.
So my team and I started searching for members in the European Parliament who share this objective.
We went through all the 2024 electoral programmes, analysed voting records, and watched plenary speeches. And we found them: Members of the European Parliament from across Europe who believe Europe must be capable of defending itself independently.
Then I sent a first email with the subject line: ‘Let’s prove Rutte wrong’
It shouldn’t have been a surprise that many colleagues responded positively. 89% of Europeans want us to be able to defend ourselves independently.
Our first meeting was held in January with half a dozen people. Then we talked to experts and visited the military headquarters of NATO and the EU to learn what had to be done.
Today, we are with more than 40 MEPs from all political groups of the pro-European majority, the EPP, S&D, Renew and the Greens. 40 frontrunners united with one goal.
One group working beyond national interests and beyond party lines.
Security does not automatically come from spending more money. It’s also about being able to make decisions without a veto, with an integrated command structure, strategic capabilities, and a rapid reaction force.
Yesterday we launched our group: The European Defence Union Network.
Together we have one goal: Making Europe capable of defending itself independently.
What does that mean? An independent European Defence Union that is separable, but not separate, from NATO.
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