In a concerted effort to bolster Europe’s aerial defence capabilities, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have jointly approached European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with a proposal for an air defence shield, backed by EU funding.
The initiative, as reported by Bloomberg, is set to be a key topic of discussion at the forthcoming European Council summit slated for June 27-28.
The proposal is said to have garnered the support of von der Leyen, who is vying for re-election in the imminent European elections. She expressed her agreement on social media, advocating for enhanced collective defence measures.
“In our support for Ukraine, we must also fortify our own defences,” she tweeted. “The time calls for unity and collaborative endeavours, such as the air defence shield put forth by @kmitsotakis and @donaldtusk.”
The proposal outlines a vision for the shield to serve as a bulwark against hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones.
In 2023, Greece and Poland, in partnership with the United States, led NATO members in military spending relative to their GDP.