Memo to the commissioner responsible for defence

You face the major challenges of Russian imperialism in the context of a potential United States retreat from Europe and a complex EU defence situation in which defence governance is spread across EU countries and various cooperation mechanisms, and the EU defence spending is neither sufficient or efficient. The outcome of the war in Ukraine will shape European security for decades and you must adapt the EU’s defence role with this in mind. You must push for expanded military production and improved procurement, making the most of the EU single market in doing so. You will have to convince EU governments of the benefits of greater integration of the defence market and a reduction in national gold-plating and local industrial policy, while also deterring unjustified protectionism against foreign producers.

Key actions:

• Support Ukraine and resist the Russian threat

• Expand military production and improve procurement

• Maximise single-market benefits

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