Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report on the European Union's crisis resilience.
The announcement was made at a surprise press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, hosted by Niinistö and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Commission President von der Leyen highlighted the urgency of the report. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, she noted, has questioned the notion of enduring peace in Europe.
"In many ways, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has shattered many illusions: the illusion that peace is permanent. The illusion that Europe on its own was doing enough on security – be it economic or military, conventional or cyber. As we look around us, it is clear there is no room for any more illusions. The world is as dangerous as it has been for generations," von der Leyen said.
She added a stark reminder of Russian President Vladimir Putin's broader ambitions beyond Ukraine, which resonate with Finnish historical experiences.
The report, as described by both Niinistö and von der Leyen, aims to provide a holistic view of how Europe can become more crisis-resilient. It will cover a wide array of defence mechanisms, including conventional military defence and responses to new threats such as cyber and hybrid warfare. A significant focus will also be on the importance of mindset in enhancing societal endurance against crises.
Niinistö emphasised peace as a fundamental aspect of human life and asserted that a stronger Europe is less likely to be attacked.
"I have been advocating for a strong European defence for decades, saying that we need a more European Nato," Niinistö said. "Now it's really time to wake up."
Niinistö reflected on the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, which has involved both conventional warfare and modern warfare capabilities like drones and cyberwarfare.
Von der Leyen underscored the uniqueness of each country's defence capabilities, which must be versatile enough to address a wide variety of threats. She praised Finland's specialised approach to comprehensive security, which could serve as a model for the EU's future strategy.
The report is scheduled for completion to meet the needs of the new European Commission, following the European Parliament elections this June, which will precede the appointment of a new Commission.
This undertaking marks a new chapter for Niinistö following the end of his presidential term earlier this month.
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