There is no point in creating a so-called “European army” or establishing structures that would parallel or compete with the North Atlantic Alliance. NATO remains the natural framework within which a European rapid reaction force could operate—ready to respond to crises, whether external aggression or sudden natural disasters requiring immediate military presence across several countries. What Europe needs are flexible formations capable of swift action, but NATO should remain the primary mechanism for such a response.
“The question I put to military experts is this: should we develop these capabilities within NATO, as part of its European pillar? I believe that’s the most reasonable approach, especially given the growing uncertainty surrounding the durability of U.S. engagement,” said Michał Kobosko, Member of the European Parliament, in an interview with eNewsroom.pl.
According to Kobosko, the Pentagon is currently reviewing the global deployment of U.S. forces, and it is likely that the resulting decisions will lead to a reduction in troop numbers stationed in Europe. Washington’s strategic priorities may increasingly shift toward the Asian theater, which is now seen as the main arena of geopolitical competition for U.S. interests.
“In practice, this means we cannot rely solely on a permanent and large-scale American military presence. Even political declarations, though important, do not always guarantee lasting solutions. Strategic interests and military assessments often shape real decisions about the allocation of forces. In this situation, it is sensible to strengthen Europe’s rapid response capabilities within NATO, rather than build an alternative, separate structure,” Kobosko emphasized.
He added that the idea of a “European army” as a competitor to NATO appears unrealistic: Europe lacks the necessary funding, manpower, and equipment, and creating parallel structures could weaken rather than strengthen collective defense.
“What would be far more effective is to deepen interoperability, cooperation, and the rapid response capabilities of European countries within NATO’s allied mechanisms,” Kobosko concluded.
Source: CEO.com.pl – “Michał Kobosko: Europa powinna wzmacniać NATO, nie budować konkurencyjnej armii”
