Russia may attack an EU country in the coming years, Brussels predicts based on data from several Western intelligence agencies. That is why Europe has presented new plans for defense and deterrence of possible Russian aggression.
The EU is increasing its military capabilities and mobility. The movement of troops across the borders of member states must be accelerated to a maximum of three days, and in emergency situations - up to six hours. Europe also has other ideas for defense against possible Russian aggression. On this occasion, the EC presented a plan for the creation of a “military Schengen“.
What is “military Schengen“?
The EU is striving to shorten the time for the movement of troops and military equipment on its territory. “The rapid movement of European armed forces is crucial for European defense. We must do everything to ensure that troops are in the right place at the right time“, said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas.
Currently, each EU country has its own rules for the movement of troops across the borders of the Community. On average, the processing of a request to cross the borders takes ten days, but in one country the procedure for granting a permit to cross takes as long as 45 days. "11 years after Russia's annexation of Crimea, this is simply unacceptable," said Kallas.
That is why the EC has developed a single EU procedure for military movements across internal borders with a maximum processing time of three working days and simplified customs formalities. The military mobility zone and the unhindered passage of troops, equipment and military resources should become operational by the end of 2027.
Military corridors to reach Ukraine
It is proposed to expand the military mobility corridors to reach Ukraine, stressed Kaya Kallas. "This will be a guarantee of security, i.e. support can be provided more quickly if necessary," she noted.
The EC is looking for ways to increase military mobility and deliver military cargo to Ukraine. According to the European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, one of these paths could pass through Romania and Moldova. "We will agree on how to improve the situation, how to help and how to create infrastructure and all the necessary rules at the borders," he said.
Brussels explains that this is the first ever legally binding EU program aimed at ensuring military mobility. And it represents the first step towards the ultimate goal - the creation of a true "military Schengen", i.e. free and unhindered movement of one's own armies across Europe.
Emergency procedure in six hours
The emergency response system should become a model for military mobility. It implies blitz procedures and priority access to infrastructure for armed forces operating within the EU or NATO. "If member states have an urgent need to move a large number of troops and equipment quickly, we must direct all efforts towards achieving this goal," said a Brussels representative. This system should be activated by the EU Council on the basis of proposals from the EC. Then EU countries will be able to simply notify their cross-border movements and will not need special permits. The entire procedure should not take more than six hours.
This will ensure, for example, priority access for the military to transport infrastructure and services: if a military ship arrives at the port, it will receive priority over civilian vessels when loading and unloading military equipment, troops, etc., Brussels explains.
Re-equipping the infrastructure according to military standards
The next problem that the EU is trying to solve as quickly as possible is the modernization of the transport infrastructure. "If a bridge cannot withstand a 60-ton tank, we will have a problem. Or if the runway is too short for a cargo plane, we will not be able to replenish our troops," said Kaia Kallas.
EU countries will be obliged to cooperate with the EC on the implementation of infrastructure projects and bringing the pan-European transport network into line with dual-use standards. "You know that now our bridges do not always withstand the weight required for the passage of military columns, and our tunnels are sometimes too narrow. But we are not starting from scratch, as we are already investing in such infrastructure projects, albeit in a very limited volume," said a representative of the Brussels administration.
For this purpose, the amount of 1.7 billion euros is now being allocated within the framework of the “Unification of Europe“ program. The EC has proposed that 17 billion euros be set aside for such projects in the next long-term budget for the period 2028-2034. These are strategically important points along the transport corridors designated by the EC - bridges, tunnels, roads and other facilities that need to be renovated to comply with dual-use requirements. The same purpose will also be allocated to the expenditure of 1.5 percent of GDP, which NATO member states must allocate for security investments.
Strengthening infrastructure protection
In addition, the EU intends to increase the level of protection of strategic dual-use infrastructure. The new package of measures provides for commitments for EU countries to draw up lists of critical infrastructure facilities - airports, terminals, transport hubs and take measures to protect them from threats such as those arising from drones or cyberattacks.
The EC also proposes the creation of a common solidarity fund in which EU countries will register the capacities they have at their disposal in order to share them with each other. This will guarantee access to all EU countries to all necessary resources - for example, railway platforms, cargo vessels for military transport, medical trains, for transporting ammunition, etc. “Military mobility is an important insurance for European security. I hope it will never have to be used to its full extent, but its presence ensures more reliable deterrence and defense“, summed up Kallas.
According to her, weakness provokes Russia to show aggression, and increasing the EU's combat readiness should become a deterrent factor. "If we take steps in the areas of military mobility, combat readiness, increasing defense spending, as well as in production, Russia will not attack us because we will not be weak," said Kallas.
The EC will present the new regulation on military mobility to the EU Council and the European Parliament, and will also immediately move towards the implementation of the "Roadmap for the Transformation of the EU Defence Industry".