Belgium’s defence minister, Lodewijk De Witte, has stated that the European Union has relied too heavily on “soft power” as its primary tool for addressing security challenges. Speaking at an event in Brussels, he argued that this approach was insufficient when confronted with aggressive actions by Russia and other global actors.
De Witte served as Belgium’s defence minister during the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized that the EU must transition toward a more robust security framework, noting that soft power should not be the sole strategy.
Highlighting the need for stronger military cooperation, the minister pointed out that Europe currently spends only 2.4 percent of its GDP on defence, compared to 3.4 percent by the United States. He expressed hope that European nations will increase their defence spending as NATO members aim to reach the 2 percent GDP target.
Additionally, De Witte suggested that EU countries should coordinate their foreign policy more closely, particularly regarding potential peace negotiations in Ukraine. He criticized the lack of unified action within the bloc, citing examples such as the United Kingdom’s decision to send troops to Ukraine, which was made without prior consultation with other EU members.
Overall, the minister called for a significant shift in how the EU approaches security, advocating for greater military investment and more cohesive diplomatic efforts.
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