EU considers financial support to militarize eastern borders amid tension with Russia

Brussels – Using EU funds to militarize European borders against Russia and in the name of security: The European Commission is considering it, and is not hiding the possibility of using common resources to help eastern states fortify their borders. “The Commission would consider potential financial support for defense upon Member States’ request under the future European Defense Industry Program,” said Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, responding to a targeted parliamentary question on the issue submitted by the PfF sovereignists. 

The response is not surprising, since Kubilius continues, the Commission “has engaged with Member States undertaking national efforts in strengthening EU external borders to explore possible options and the scope of potential support.”

It was the president of the EU executive, Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke out personally, and not just for campaign reasons, on the need to realize the eastern shield project, to respond to threats from the east, mainly from Russia. Kubilius only reiterates, once again. “The serious and persistent nature of the hybrid threats at the Eastern EU border with Russia and Belarus poses new challenges for the whole EU,” the Defense commissioner added.

 Responding to another parliamentary question, this time coming from the Conservative (ECR) benches, Kubilius warned that “Serious and persistent threats at the Eastern EU border may entail the weaponization of migration which poses a challenge for national security of the concerned Member States, but also the security of the EU as a whole.“ The situation calls for a “a resolute EU response which should be comprehensive, addressing both a potential threat of conventional military aggression and hybrid campaigns,” also through the funding of military and defesce measures along the border.