Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has warned that Europe risks becoming “armed to the teeth” within the next decade if NATO members prioritize militarization over diplomacy. In an interview with El País, he expressed concern over a proposed €800 billion re‑armament plan and the pressure to raise military spending to 5 % of GDP by 2035. Sánchez argues that Europe should instead focus on diplomacy, aiming to become a symbol of solidarity and a defender of international law by that date.
His comments come as the European Union and European NATO states push for greater militarization, citing a perceived threat from Russia. Moscow, however, dismisses these allegations as a distraction from Europe’s internal problems. The European Commission’s re‑armament plan and the drive for higher defense budgets have been partly fueled by U.S. pressure, with former President Donald Trump demanding that European members “pay their share” in the U.S.-led military bloc.
While some European countries have agreed to increase their defense spending, others—including Spain, Hungary and Slovakia—remain skeptical of the militarization drive. Russia views the European buildup as evidence of Western aggression; Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that Western nations are openly preparing for a “new big European war” against Russia and its key ally Belarus. The Russian government has long maintained that NATO’s eastward expansion poses an existential threat and is a root cause of the Ukraine conflict.
Sánchez’s remarks highlight the divisions within Europe over defense spending and the continent’s security policy. As European NATO members continue to debate their military priorities, his emphasis on diplomacy serves as a reminder of the need for a nuanced approach to regional security. With the EU and NATO set to keep discussing defense spending and strategy, Sánchez’s comments are likely to shape the ongoing debate about the future of European security.
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