The European defence commissioner envisions a permanent European military force of about 100,000 troops that could potentially replace American troops stationed in Europe, signaling a shift toward greater European strategic autonomy.

He raises questions about how a European pillar would fit within NATO, including the roles of the European supreme commander and the disposition of European headquarters and command structures if US troops depart.

He warns that replacing the 100,000-strong American force would be challenging, noting concerns about US reliability as Washington signals a shift in focus.

To address strategic gaps, he proposed creating a European Security Council to strengthen defense institutions, a concept he had previously floated during a visit to Portugal.

Public opinion in several European countries, including Spain, Belgium, and Germany, appears to favor a European army over national or NATO forces, underscoring support for deeper integration.

He argues that lack of unity is the main obstacle to a larger leap in EU defense spending and capability, advocating that Europe act as a single entity rather than a collection of national forces.

The proposal calls for a European Security Council composed of 10–12 permanent and rotational members to enable quicker decision-making on defence and security issues, with an immediate focus on influencing Kyiv’s situation.

The council’s first priority would be to shape a decisive EU strategy in the Ukraine conflict to prevent Kyiv’s defeat and influence the trajectory of the war.

He stresses urgent mechanisms for defence readiness and strategic choices, arguing for the immediate creation of the European Security Council to guide policy.

Experts note that while the idea of a European army is not new, governments have resisted ceding control of their armed forces, with Washington pressuring Europe to take more responsibility and potentially redeploy US troops.

Historical attempts at a central European army have faltered due to member states’ reluctance to surrender national control over militaries, highlighting political resistance to greater strategic autonomy.

Advocates say extending European strategic autonomy requires overcoming political resistance from member states over ceding national military control.