The European Commission is to publish its long-awaited White Paper on Defence, a set of bold proposals designed to boost Europe's security and defence capabilities in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US President Donald Trump’s threat to pull out of NATO.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has suggested that the EU could collectively purchase arms, which would allow individual member states to restore inventories emptied through the support of Ukraine.
It comes as EU leaders have responded cautiously to the results of yesterday’s phone call between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
During the call, Mr Putin agreed to Mr Trump's proposal for a month-long halt to strikes against energy infrastructure in Ukraine, a limited ceasefire that Ukraine quickly said it would be willing to consider.
However, Ukraine has accused Russia of effectively rejecting the ceasefire proposal, reporting a barrage of strikes on civilian infrastructure hours after the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin.
European leaders have come to the conclusion that Russia is a threat not only to the survival of Ukraine but also the EU itself.
It follows years of Moscow’s intimidation of neighbouring countries - including the invasion of Ukraine - as well as its hybrid, cybersecurity and even sabotage attacks on some member states.
Europe’s military support to Ukraine has both depleted some of the EU’s military reserves and exposed areas where there is a distinct over-reliance on the US, such as air defence, artillery shells and long-range precision missiles.
The return of Mr Trump to the White House has heightened a sense that Europe, which for decades relied on the US security umbrella, and which reduced defence spending at the end of the Cold War, is dangerously exposed.
The White Paper will spell out that the risk of an attack on an EU member state cannot be ruled out.
It will also propose a central procurement body that member states could turn to in order to replenish weapons.
The paper will further suggest ways that Europe's defence industry can be encouraged to produce the necessary capabilities at scale and more cheaply through joint procurement.
The Irish Government is understood to be supportive of the proposals, although officials have suggested that Ireland has conveyed its concern that any initiatives be voluntary in nature.
