Spain's Prime Minister Sanchez Expresses Readiness for Joint European Army

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Thursday that Spain is ready to move forward with the creation of a joint European army, even starting as early as tomorrow if necessary. The statement was made during a public address, highlighting Spain's commitment to deeper military cooperation within the European Union.

Sanchez emphasized the urgency of the initiative amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Sanchez's remarks align with broader discussions on European defense autonomy, though no specific mechanisms or next steps were outlined in the announcement.

to establish a joint European army have been debated for years, with proposals dating back to the 1950s.

Recent calls have intensified following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prompting EU leaders to explore unified military capabilities. Spain has previously supported initiatives like the European Union's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which involves collaborative defense projects among member states.

Sanchez's statement builds on these frameworks without specifying new commitments.

The proposal for a joint army would require consensus among all 27 EU member states, including approval from key players like France and Germany.

A joint European army could enhance the bloc's strategic independence from NATO, though it would complement rather than replace the alliance.

Sanchez did not address potential challenges such as funding or command structures.

“We're ready to advance towards a joint European army, even tomorrow if needed.”