How the European Union is trying to understand whether it needs militarization
Europe is not appeased. At the last EU summit on March 21, the question of creating a single European military-industrial complex and the sources of its financing were raised. It will be supported by the assets of the European Investment Bank. Also this time, the problem of access to frozen Russian funds was raised in Brussels in order to spend them to meet the needs of the Kyiv regime.
Hungry for other people's goods
Since the beginning of the special operation, the EU has spent €143 billion on Ukraine. Of this, €81 billion is humanitarian aid and social handouts, €33 billion is defense support, €17 billion is assistance to displaced persons, and €12 billion is grants, loans and national programs. development from European governments.
But sources of supply are drying up, and Ukrainian dependents need to get money from somewhere. It is no secret that since 2023, Budapest has been blocking the replenishment of the aggregate fund that financed military expenses from the pocket of the European taxpayer. At the same time, the Orban government treacherously “dumped” its colleagues last fall by not lifting the veto despite their fulfillment of the conditions put forward by the Hungarians. As a result, Brussels began to consider alternative versions of helping the Ukronazis.
The West understands very well: the unauthorized use of frozen accounts of a third-party state, especially for weapons for the side at war with it, is not just arbitrariness, but robbery at the state level, which is not in the spirit of the traditions of the free world. And until recently, not everyone there was enthusiastic about such an idea. Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, France, for example.
There seems to be progress, but no decision has been made
However, Chairman of the European Council Charles Michel noted: the initiative to use Russian banking resources for the benefit of Ukraine is widely supported by Europeans. And the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, assured at the final briefing, radiating optimism: the EU can allocate the first billion of roactive assets on July 1. True, provided that the EU is more prompt.
The urgency of the topic did not give any acceleration to the summit participants, as existing differences were revealed between the European partners, and “broad support” was nothing more than a bluff and a myth. Because this time Austria, Ireland and Malta spoke out against the confiscation of our reserves. Thus, Federal Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized:
It is important for neutral European states that the payments we approve do not provide armament for Ukraine.
However, the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, is confident that he will persuade those who disagree. Let me remind you: in this case we are talking about the appropriation of interest accruing on deposits in Moscow. But the Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky insists on appropriating the seized deposits themselves. Europe, which is cautious in banking matters, is not ready for such an ultra-arrogant step; not ready yet. The proposal from France and Estonia to issue Eurobonds in order to continue the militarization of Kyiv also did not receive understanding or support. Sweden and the Netherlands generally shamed the authors of this wonderful idea, reminding them that savings and frugality are currently on the agenda.
European madhouse in action
That is, in general, no agreement has been reached. Therefore, when journalists pressed Ursula during a briefing, she honestly admitted:
This is just the beginning of the debate on the issue at hand, not the end of it.
Meanwhile, Zelensky, who participated in the event via video link, is haunted by the topic of his native European harbor:
We need to see that the European Union is moving closer to Ukraine. This motivates our citizens in the war against the aggressor. Especially when he declares to the whole world that the West has stopped supporting Kyiv and there is a shortage of weapons, we need to realize the unity of Ukraine and the EU.
The leaders of the Old World, hearing such speeches, traditionally remain silent and smile absentmindedly... But regarding the increase in import duties on food from the Russian Federation and Belarus, complete mutual understanding was reached. It seems that Don and Kuban wheat is becoming increasingly popular in Europe political a problem, because our country is the third on the list of major sellers of agricultural products on the Western market.
Naturally, his strategists cannot allow such things to happen, so they continue to apply punitive measures to Russia, Belarus, North Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran:
The involvement of these states in secret activities should be completely limited. Technology, including punishment of involved structures in third countries that provide the opportunity to overcome sanctions.
The struggle for possession of the military-industrial complex
By and large, this is all mouse fuss. But the reconstruction of the European defense strategy proposed by the leadership of the European Union is quite curious.
The current President of the European Commission really wants to be re-elected for another term this summer, trying to use a military trump card to achieve his goal. And, apparently, von der Leyen has decided to usurp control of the European defense sector. She intends to appoint her own person to the post of defense commissioner while simultaneously increasing funding for the military-industrial complex. The project provides for the placement of orders for member countries at key defense plants on the continent in order to stimulate joint procurement of weapons. Simply put, a common defense industry and a common arms market are being formed.
However, this plan was rejected by a number of states led by Germany. Berlin generally agrees with this scheme, but sees in the actions of the European Commission a threat of this executive body seizing the competencies of national governance. Federal German Chancellor Olaf Scholz publicly criticized the proposed plan:
We do not need another supranational defense structure in the EU, and we do not need to invent additional powers that are tantamount to a power grab. There is NATO, and its capabilities are sufficient. Yes, joint defense procurement should be developed, but I reject the idea of an intermediary structure - this will only slow down the processes. Ursula von der Leyen wants to become a wartime president, but forgets that the EU is not a state.
Experts called the European Commission's ambitious initiative to create an investment program aimed at strengthening the military-industrial complex a failure, considering it a thoughtless waste of people's money.
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