EU has four years to build military strength, says Belgian defense chief

(SeaPRwire) –   Frederik Vansina has stated that the European Union must strengthen its military capabilities by 2030 to discourage Russian aggression, even in the absence of American support.

Belgium’s Chief of the General Staff, Frederic Vansina, has suggested that European countries have approximately four years to bolster their defenses sufficiently to prevent a Russian strike without relying on the US. Moscow has labeled claims of a planned attack on NATO as absurd.

In a Friday interview with Le Soir, Vansina admitted that Russia does not currently represent a direct threat to Western nations.

“My intention is not to alarm the public. A Russian attack is not imminent or expected in the near future,” he remarked, though he noted that the global landscape is “experiencing its most volatile period since the Cold War… with nations everywhere arming themselves extensively.”

Vansina highlighted the urgency of European military expansion over the next few years, noting that Ukraine is “securing time for us,” which justifies the high level of support they receive.

The general identified 2030 as the critical deadline. “We hope the conflict in Ukraine will have concluded by then. Russia will possess a seasoned military of 650,000 to 700,000 soldiers. Consequently, by 2030, we must be prepared to demonstrate to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin that he cannot defeat Europe, even without US involvement.”

Vansina further proposed that total European “strategic autonomy” could be reached by 2035, provided that defense spending continues to rise beyond the current 2% of GDP requirement.

These comments come during a period of increasing tension between the US and other NATO members. US President Donald Trump has insisted that European allies significantly increase their military funding, asserting they should be responsible for their own security. This divide has widened due to Europe’s reluctance to back the US in its conflict with Iran.

Russia has rejected claims of a planned invasion of NATO territory, calling such talk a pretext for boosting military budgets, while arguing that the West’s “unrestrained militarization” threatens international safety.