An Army of Europe: Could the European Union develop a unified military force?

On February 15th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a bold statement that could change the course of history. He said it may be time for the European Continent to develop an Armed Forces of Europe, suggesting it may be needed. 

While speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky said in front of a crowded room of Western leaders and security officials: "I really believe that the time has come that the armed forces of Europe must be created.”

"Let's be honest, now we can't rule out that America might say 'no' to Europe on issues that might threaten it,” Zelensky continued according to Politico. These words rang true to anyone who had been following the conference. 

Donald Trump has made it clear that he intends to lead the United States into a far more isolationist stance when it comes to European security. This has been a reality since Trump's first term in office. Stars and Stripes noted Trump long talked about cutting back the US presence in Europe. 

During his first term, the Trump administration developed plans to remove 12,000 troops from Germany and relocate them to other areas of Europe or bring those troops back to the US. This plan was scrapped by the Biden administration. 

However, now that Trump is back in office, he has reportedly been floating a new plan to European leaders aimed at withdrawing at least 20,000 US troops from Europe. He also demanded that his European allies pay the cost of maintaining America's remaining troops in Europe. 

One European diplomat told Italy’s ANSA news agency that Trump “would like financial contributions from European countries because these soldiers are a deterrent, and the costs cannot be borne solely by American taxpayers” according to Stars and Stripes. 

Moreover, the details emerging about Trump’s negotiations with Vladimir Putin on peace in Ukraine have also stirred up worry in Europe. Trump has so far excluded Ukraine and Europe from any peace talks and seems poised to give Putin everything he wants. 

The developing situation has led many to begin asking if the United States can still be a reliable partner when it comes to European security. But is it possible for Europe to develop a unified military? 

The European Parliament noted in a September 2023 article on its website that defense is still a matter left to individual member states. However, the article noted that member states have taken major steps towards creating a European military. 

“Since 2016, there has been significant progress in the area of EU security and defense with several concrete EU initiatives to encourage cooperation and reinforce Europe’s capacity to defend itself, ” the article explained.

Europe already has a common defense policy as outlined by the Treaty of Lisbon, but it is now spending more on defense and working more closely on procurement, research, and a common strategy to strengthen Europe's defense and speed up weapons production. 

Moreover, according to the European Parliament, 81% of EU citizens favor a common defense and security plan. However, the changing security situation and growing work towards a common strategy doesn’t mean the EU is poised to develop its own military. 

European leaders have so far stayed quiet regarding Zelensky's statement that it was time to create a European military, though Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said a unified European Army would not happen according to The Kyiv Independent.

"If you understand by it the unification of national armies, it will not happen," Sikorski told TVP World according to The Kyiv Independent. "But I have been an advocate for Europe, for the European Union, to develop its own defense capabilities."

Whether or not the European Union will move towards developing its own centralized military has yet to be seen and will come down to the will of the EU citizens to push for the development of an armed force that can protect the continent. 

Such a force would require unanimity, and that seems unlikely, though leaders of all EU countries may come to change their minds and opt to work together towards a common unified military if they no longer feel the US or NATO will guarantee European security. 

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