100,000 EU soldiers to defend Greenland? European Commission: This is an invitation to discussion

European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier explained on Monday that the words of EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius that the EU should consider creating a permanent armed force of 100,000 soldiers, is an invitation to discussion, not an announcement of a proposal.

Kubilius said, quoted by Politico, that the European Union should consider creating a permanent armed force of 100,000. soldiers and a thorough reconstruction of political processes regulating defense issues.

“Would the United States be militarily stronger if it had 50 state-level armies instead of one federal army?” – he said on Sunday at a conference on security in Sweden. “Fifty state defense policies and state-level defense budgets instead of one federal defense policy and defense budget?”

“We need to start investing our money in such a way that we can fight as Europe, not just as a collection of 27 national bonsai armies” – he added, borrowing a phrase from former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

The phrase “bonsai army” is a metaphorical term used in English to refer to an underpowered military force that resembles an “ornament” rather than an effective army. The term compares such an army to miniature bonsai trees, which are small and decorative but have no real strength.

Kubilius stressed that Europe could instead create – “as Jean-Claude Juncker, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel proposed 10 years ago” – a “European military force” of 100,000. soldiers.

When asked about this issue on Monday in Brussels, the Commission spokesman replied that Kubilius' words were an “invitation to discussion” and not an announcement of a legislative proposal from the European Commission.

– The Commissioner invites you to discussion and reflection. Why? Because, of course, he identified (…) critical gaps in the capabilities of the European Union and in the defense sector, also with regard to soldiers, Regnier said.

The European Union does not have its own army, but there has been a discussion about the potential creation of one for years, which is a politically sensitive topic. Some political forces in the EU believe that such a move would deepen the federalization of the Community, which would limit the sovereignty of states. For many EU countries, their own army is a symbol of independence. For some countries, especially the eastern part of the EU, relations with the US and the importance of NATO as a defense alliance are also important.

Greenland is a flashpoint in relations

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius warned on Monday that the forcible takeover of Greenland by the US would mean the end of NATO. He also assessed that European Union member states have an obligation to provide assistance to Denmark in the event of military aggression.

US President Donald Trump announced again on Sunday during a conversation with journalists aboard Air Force One that he “will have Greenland one way or another.” He also encouraged the Greenlanders to accept the offer of joining the United States.

When asked what would happen if NATO ceased to exist as a result of the annexation of the island, Trump replied that “he is the one who saved NATO”, forcing member states to increase their military spending.

Both Greenland and Denmark have previously said the island is not for sale.

– I agree with the Danish Prime Minister that (the forcible seizure of Greenland by the US – PAP) will be the end of NATO, but it will also be very, very negative for people – Commissioner Kubilius said on Monday in an interview with Reuters at a conference on international security held in Sweden.

He also added that Article 42, point 7 of the Treaty on European Union obliges Member States to provide assistance to Denmark in the event of military aggression.

– It will largely depend on Denmark, on its reaction, on its position, but there is certainly an obligation for member states to provide mutual assistance if another member state is faced with military aggression, the commissioner said.

The US president speculated on Friday that if the US does not take control of Greenland, Russia or China will take it over. He rejected other solutions, such as increasing the presence of US troops there or the mission of other NATO countries in Greenland proposed by Germany.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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