Part 5/12:
While NATO and the European Union are separate entities—NATO being a military alliance and the EU a political and economic union—they are deeply interconnected. Much of the EU’s defense efforts are coordinated with NATO. Borrel mentions that European armies are increasing their capabilities in response to the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of coordinated defense strategies.
He discusses the possibility of a European Army but points out the logistical and command challenges such a unified force entails. Instead, he stresses the importance of enlargement and integration, with nine countries—including Ukraine—aspiring to join the EU, driven by a shared perception of threat from Russia.