The war in Ukraine served as a moment of "awakening" for the European Union, revealing its over-reliance on Russian energy and the inadequacy of its own defense capabilities, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned.
Speaking via videoconference at the inauguration of a Strategic Autonomy chair at Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Mr. Mitsotakis identified two key moments that propelled the E.U.'s push for greater self-reliance.
"The first was the pandemic, when we realized our dependence on supply chains beyond our control," he said.
"Then came the moment of ‘awakening’ with the war in Ukraine."
The war also exposed weaknesses in European defense, Mr. Mitsotakis argued.
"Suddenly, we looked in the mirror and saw that our defense capacities were not at the level they should be," he stated. "
Perhaps former President Trump was right... when he told us Europeans we must take greater responsibility for our common defense.”
Mr. Mitsotakis called for greater E.U. cooperation on defense, including joint procurement and investment in technology, to strengthen the bloc's strategic autonomy.
He congratulated former E.U. Commissioner Margaritis Schinas on his new role directing studies for the university chair.