NATO and the EU - who does what for European defence?
May 8, 2024
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Former NATO Spokesperson, Oana Lungescu, discusses the cooperation between NATO and the EU in supporting Ukraine post-Russia invasion. Topics include joint defense strategies, financing for Ukraine, and the impacts of Brexit on defense alliances.
NATO focuses on collective defense with 32 allies, while EU emphasizes military equipment purchases for readiness and capabilities.
EU countries in NATO contribute only 20% of defense spending, requiring efforts to meet 2% GDP investment commitment for defense annually.
Deep dives
Overview of NATO and EU Relationship
NATO, a transatlantic alliance, was founded post-World War II and emphasizes collective defense with a promise that an attack on one ally is an attack on all. Currently with 32 allies, 23 are common with the EU. NATO covers 96% of the EU population, but EU countries in NATO contribute only 20% of defense spending.
Concerns Over Defense Funding and Spending in NATO
Since 2014, NATO allies committed to investing 2% of GDP on defense annually, with efforts to have two-thirds reach this by July. The US has been concerned about European defense spending adequacy, with recent increases aimed at modernizing equipment purchases and shifting focus from personnel spending.
EU Member State Budgets and Defense Capabilities for Ukraine
Growing defense spending in EU member states has prioritized equipment purchases, balancing Russia's increased military capabilities in the context of Ukraine's conflict. Investments in military equipment have surged in recent years, crucial for bolstering readiness and capabilities against military threats.
Challenges of Defense Spending and Security Funding
Distinguishing between defense budgets and support funding for Ukraine, uneven EU support based on geographical proximity, and the need for fair burden-sharing. Discussions on joint EU defense spending face hurdles, with mixed views on collectively raised EU funding for defense budgets.
The relationship between the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is at the heart of efforts to help Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion. How do the alliances work together and how can further cooperation help?
In this episode of The Sound of Economics, Rebecca Christie speaks with Oana Lungescu, who served as the longest serving NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Spokesperson and is now a Distinguished Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, and Guntram B. Wolff, Senior fellow at Bruegel, to discuss NATO and the EU. How do they each contribute to Europe’s defence strategy? Where do they overlap and not? How will they work together to find the necessary financing to help Ukraine and coordinate defence procurement in the future? They also discuss the role of NATO members who are not part of the EU such as Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States under the current political climate.
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