EU Urged to Stockpile Essentials Amid Rising Concerns of Conflict With Russia

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A new report has advised citizens of the European Union to stockpile emergency supplies in anticipation of potential conflict or other severe crises. The report, published on Wednesday, was prepared by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in his role as Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission. In it, Niinistö warns that the EU’s current approach to crisis management is largely reactive and must become more proactive.

 

Highlighting lessons learned from recent crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the report stresses the importance of individual preparedness and self-reliance. It recommends that EU member states encourage households to stockpile essential goods, sufficient for at least 72 hours, in preparation for any emergency. Such supplies include food, water, medicine, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio, among other critical items. The goal, according to the report, is to better equip citizens for a range of crises, from pandemics to extreme weather events or even armed conflict.

 

This advice aims to avoid the widespread shortages experienced during the pandemic when people began panic-buying essential items. Although the report considers several potential threats, it highlights Russian aggression as a significant concern. “We do not have a clear plan on what the EU will do in the event of armed aggression against a Member State. The threat of war posed by Russia to European security forces us to address this as a centerpiece of our preparedness, without undermining the work to prepare for other major threats,” the report states.

 

The report underscores that the EU’s security is interconnected across all its 27 member states. Any aggression against one member would inevitably affect the bloc as a whole. “The territorial integrity and political independence of every Member State is inextricably linked with that of other Member States, and the EU as a whole,” the document asserts.

 

Niinistö’s report recommends empowering EU citizens as central to a successful crisis readiness strategy. He emphasizes that the EU must work to raise awareness and foster a sense of self-reliance across its population. Additionally, the report suggests significant increases in security investments, proposing that at least 20 percent of the EU’s budget should be allocated toward security and crisis preparedness. Enhanced intelligence sharing among EU member states is also advised to improve response coordination and strategic planning.

 

The 165-page document, which was formally presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marks a substantial call for a shift in EU policy. Niinistö’s recommendations indicate a pressing need to bolster both civilian and military defenses, preparing for potential threats to the EU’s collective security. By adopting these preparedness measures, the EU seeks to reassure its citizens of greater protection against a wide range of possible emergencies, while remaining vigilant of escalating threats.

 

Based on a report by Newsweek 2024-11-02