Photo: General Robert Brieger, President of the European Union (EU) Military Committee
By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
In a statement made at the Military University Institute (IUM) in Lisbon, General Robert Brieger, President of the European Union (EU) Military Committee, dismissed the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine. The General also emphasized the lack of necessity for EU member states to invest in nuclear weapons amid the current geopolitical context.
Speaking before a diverse audience of military personnel from various nations, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Nunes da Fonseca, during his official visit to the Portuguese Armed Forces, General Brieger addressed questions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Responding to a query about the need to end the conflict in Ukraine, which has been under Russian occupation for approximately two years, Brieger stressed that the European Union should do “everything within its power” to bring about an end to the war. He emphasized the importance of providing support and resources while maintaining a stance of not directly involving the EU in the conflict.
“What we cannot compensate for are the human losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We can assist them in training, but we cannot provide soldiers,” asserted General Brieger.
The possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine was raised by French President Emmanuel Macron three days ago. However, most allied governments quickly distanced themselves from this suggestion, with the exception of the Baltic states.
General Brieger’s stance aligns with the prevailing sentiment that military intervention by European forces is not currently on the table, emphasizing the importance of providing support in other capacities, such as training and resources.
Addressing the debate surrounding nuclear weapons within the EU, General Brieger acknowledged the existence of a “relatively intense” political and media debate on the topic among member states. However, he deemed it “less urgent” and “unrealistic at the moment,” emphasizing that the EU benefits from the nuclear protection of the United States, and France remains the sole European country with limited nuclear capabilities.
The general highlighted the importance of reinforcing conventional capabilities, modernizing European Armed Forces, and enhancing interoperability to strengthen the European pillar of NATO. He dismissed the possibility of a Russian attack on European countries, although he did not rule it out entirely in the future.
General Brieger commended the EU’s efforts since the beginning of the war in Ukraine but acknowledged the need for more substantial contributions. He emphasized that there is no plan for Russia to win the war, and the EU will not accept such an outcome.
Regarding the Portuguese Armed Forces, General Brieger praised Portugal’s participation in the European training mission in Mozambique. When questioned about the sufficiency of Portuguese personnel for European defense contributions, he deferred decisions related to human resources to the Portuguese government, noting that Portugal has increased its defense budget.
“I think we should also see the glass as half full and not half empty,” responded General Brieger.