Creating a European army faces hurdles like national sovereignty, NATO’s role, and EU consensus. Cooperation efforts like PESCO and the European Defence Fund show progress.
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The creation of a European army remains unlikely in the short term, despite renewed debate following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Historically, attempts like the European Defence Community failed due to national opposition. Significant hurdles include the fact that defense is a core national competency, which military integration would further diminish, and the existing structure of NATO, which remains the primary pillar of European defense. Furthermore, the lack of consensus within the EU, requiring unanimity in the European Council, and differing strategic priorities among member states complicate efforts. Logistical and financial barriers, including the massive investment required, also pose challenges. Despite these difficulties, progress is being made through cooperation mechanisms such as the Eurocorps, the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), and the European Defence Fund. More recently, the EU has adopted the Strategic Compass and the Defence Industrial Strategy, alongside increasing defense spending, indicating a trend toward greater defense integration and expenditure.
