Reference News Network, January 12 report: According to RIA Novosti on January 11, EU defense chief Andrius Kubilius said the EU supports the establishment of a 100,000-strong European standing army. Recent statements by the United States regarding Greenland clearly indicate that the EU must ensure its own military independence.
The report said that Kubilius stated that the 100,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe are the cornerstone of Europe's military strength, but the U.S. plans to withdraw from Europe. The EU should establish a joint armed force of similar scale to replace the U.S. forces.
He said it is necessary to establish an EU Security Council consisting of 10 to 12 members to discuss key EU defense issues.
Kubilius said, "We have fully launched the 'Ready for 2030' agenda. Because we realize that Europe is under pressure from defense challenges and needs to achieve a 'major breakthrough' in the defense field. At that time, the new U.S. national security strategy had not yet been released, the Venezuela issue had not emerged, and there was no Greenland crisis. Now we have a clearer understanding that we must achieve European independence." (Translated by Han Ziling)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7594332963703013928/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.