COP31 must be more than another conference of promises. It should mark a political turning point where climate action, peace...
Europe is often perceived as a region of cooperation and peace. Yet it continues to be impacted by violence and injustices, and to export wars and weaponry. The ongoing war in Ukraine, increasing military spending, and militarised borders are just some examples showing the structural issues still in the way of a peaceful and just Europe.
Across the continent, European leaders present militarisation as the only solution to the conflict in Ukraine. Calls for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions are marginalised, while arms deliveries and expanded military budgets are framed as inevitable. Public discourse is increasingly polarised, leaving little space for debate on just alternatives centering people’s will.
The expansion of militarist policies across the continent is undermining long-term peace and diverting resources away from essential social welfare spending. Through the ReArm Europe plan, the EU and its member states are planning to invest €800 billion of additional military spending from 2026 to 2030. These figures would be in addition to existing EU spending on militarist programs, such as the European Defence Fund, or the so-called European Peace Facility. Such increased military spending will put huge pressure on public budgets at a time when one in five people in the EU are at risk of poverty.
On the other hand, European borders are increasingly militarised. Since 2014, more than 39.000 people have died trying to reach Europe through the Eastern borders, the Mediterranean sea, and West Africa. Frontex, the European Union’s border agency, has a €5.6 billion budget for 2021-2027. This taxpayer money ends up in the pockets of arms companies such as Leonardo, Thales, Elbit Systems, and more, through the procurement of surveillance technology, patrol vessels, drones, and related equipment.
Beyond this, many companies in Europe are involved in arms production and export that fuels conflicts in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and elsewhere, raising an urgent call for accountability. Activists protesting against such companies face increased repression such as imprisonment and criminalisation.
Across Europe, we are actively working to educate, mobilise, and build momentum for the demilitarisation of the continent and the abolition of war. Through the collective efforts of our European staff, chapters, affiliates, and coalition partners, we have organised protests, anti-NATO summits, hosted webinars, participated in peace conferences, published public statements, and coordinated email actions directed at Members of the European Parliament.
The latest articles and updates about our work tackling European militarism and the war machine.
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