A European army “even tomorrow”. Pedro Sanchez calls for a breakthrough

Spain is ready “even tomorrow” to take action to create a European army, said the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday. He also called on the European Union to suspend the association agreement with Israel.

According to the Prime Minister, a common European army is “the only way for the middle-ranking countries that make up the European Union to be counted on in terms of security.” – Not in 10 years, not in two years, but now, tomorrow – added Sanchez, who participated in the European Pulse Forum 2026 taking place in Barcelona on Friday.

The Prime Minister again called on the European Union to suspend the association agreement with Israel. The government in Madrid has been sharply critical of Tel Aviv since the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

– We will not allow another situation like in the Gaza Strip to occur in Lebanon, because in the face of gross violations of international humanitarian law, Europe must act consistently, said Sanchez, criticizing the actions of the Israeli army in southern Lebanon.

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the government in Madrid of “waging a diplomatic war” against his country and ordered the expulsion of Spanish representatives from the Civil and Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which oversees the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

– I am not going to tolerate this hypocrisy or hostility. I will not allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without immediately paying the price, added Netanyahu, quoted by EFE news agency.

European Pulse Forum is an initiative of Politico and the Spanish beBartlet center, bringing together high-ranking politicians and business representatives. In addition to Sanchez, the speakers included: Vice-Presidents of the European Commission Teresa Ribera and Stephane Sejourne, Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić and European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius.

From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)

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