Spain has called for the creation of a European Union army, arguing the bloc must take greater responsibility for its own security and reduce reliance on external powers.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Europe should move towards stronger defence integration, including a military structure capable of ensuring collective protection. He suggested the EU could develop a system similar to NATO’s mutual defence principle, where an attack on one member would trigger a joint response.
“We cannot be waking up every morning wondering what the U.S. will do next … our citizens deserve better,” Albares said, adding that the moment had come for Europe to act with more “sovereignty and independence.”
The proposal comes amid broader tensions in transatlantic relations, particularly following remarks by Donald Trump. Last year, Trump suggested Spain could be expelled from NATO over its defence spending, saying: “We had one laggard, it was Spain.” He has also pushed allies to raise military expenditure targets to 5% of GDP, a significant increase from the previous 2% benchmark.
Spain has resisted such demands.
Within Brussels, discussions are intensifying over how the EU should strengthen its security capabilities. While the bloc already has a mutual defence clause, many officials acknowledge it lacks the military capacity to act as a credible deterrent. Most European leaders, however, favour reinforcing their militaries within NATO’s existing framework instead of pursuing a separate EU-led defence path.
