As global security shifts, European nations face increasing uncertainty. With the United States pulling back from its commitments to Ukraine and broader European defense, military leaders are warning that Europe must act quickly to strengthen its own forces. General Waldemar Skrzypczak emphasizes that if decisive action is taken now, Europe could establish an effective defense against Russia within two to three years.
The Need for a Unified European Force
Skrzypczak, former commander of the Polish Land Forces, argues that relying solely on national armies is no longer an option. In his view, Europe does not have ten years to build independent forces country by country. Instead, he proposes forming international military units that integrate existing capabilities from France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
This approach would allow Europe to have a strong deterrent force operational within one to three years, rather than waiting a decade for national forces to reach full readiness, as reported by Wiadomości WP.
Ukrainian Troops as Military Trainers
To further accelerate Europe’s military preparedness, Skrzypczak suggests enlisting Ukrainian soldiers with direct battlefield experience.
He argues that even a small group of 20 Ukrainian troops could provide invaluable training, offering European forces firsthand knowledge of modern combat against Russian tactics.
This initiative, he believes, would drastically improve the effectiveness of European troops and ensure they are combat-ready in a short period.
Economic Shift to Support Military Production
Another major issue facing European defense is the shortage of military equipment and ammunition.
After sending significant stockpiles to Ukraine, many European nations are now struggling to replenish their own arsenals.
Skrzypczak stresses that Europe must transition parts of its economy to a wartime footing, particularly in defense manufacturing.
He argues that, like Russia, European nations should ensure that arms production facilities operate 24/7 to meet the growing demand for military hardware.
Decisive Political Leadership Required
Despite ongoing discussions about strengthening European defense, Skrzypczak warns that little concrete action has been taken.
He criticizes the slow pace of decision-making among European leaders and urges immediate, practical steps to rebuild and enhance military capabilities.
Without swift and coordinated action, he cautions, Russia may exploit European vulnerabilities. The next two to three years, he believes, are crucial for ensuring the continent’s security, as he made clear in his remarks.
