A senior Bundeswehr officer warns against a separate European army and calls for deeper European responsibility inside NATO, signaling a push for stronger coordination.
European countries should not create a separate defense alliance parallel to NATO; instead, they should strengthen the role of European countries within the existing Alliance. This position was stated by Bundeswehr Major General Wolf-Jürgen Stahl during an interview that appeared in Ukrainian media.
According to him, there is no need to create a separate purely European union beside NATO; the issue is more about “Europeanising” NATO and significantly strengthening the role of Europeans within the framework of the existing alliance.
Position on the European defense alliance
“I’m not sure we need a separate purely European union alongside NATO. In my view, it’s more about “Europeanizing” NATO – significantly strengthening the role of Europeans within the existing alliance”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
“This can be achieved within the framework of tested and proven NATO structures; there is no need to create anything fundamentally new. If this is politically defined as the “European defense union” – that’s a matter of terminology. The main thing is that Europeans should take more responsibility and invest more resources in collective defense”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
“First of all, I do not see any signs that the United States will withdraw its nuclear shield from Europe or that extended deterrence is in doubt”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
“Obviously, what Europeans possess – namely France and the United Kingdom – will never replace the American nuclear arsenal. One thing does not replace another”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
“We can more actively utilize European potential and thereby complement American capabilities – together with the United States, and not instead of them”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
In summary, the expert emphasizes that the main thing is the responsibility of member states and close coordination within NATO to ensure collective defense on the continent.