**Europe’s Plan to Reinforce Its Defense Against Russia**
The European Union has unveiled a plan to strengthen its defense capabilities and rearm Ukraine in response to Russian aggression. By 2030, the bloc aims to develop its militaries enough to deter or counter Russian threats. To fund this effort, the EU plans to borrow $873 billion over four years.
It’s encouraging that Europe has finally acknowledged the Russian threat and developed a credible defense strategy. However, the bloc may not have much time to prepare. Fortunately, there are ways to accelerate the plan’s implementation.
**Accelerating Funding**
One way to speed up the process is by seizing or exchanging frozen Russian assets. About one-quarter of the $873 billion needed can be obtained immediately from these assets, which are mostly in cash. The EU could exchange them for 20-year, zero-interest bonds, a compromise that would be less contentious among member states.
There’s little evidence that seizing or exchanging these assets would harm the euro or Europe’s rule of law. On the contrary, it might even increase the likelihood of collecting compensation from Russia for damages caused by its aggression.
**Countering Soft-Power Threats**
While cyber threats are a significant concern, information and soft-power threats are just as dangerous. The rise in popularity of far–right and far-left populist forces, supported by Russian and Chinese influence operations on social media platforms like TikTok, is a prime example.
These forces often promote the Kremlin’s agenda, including ending support for Ukraine. If they come to power, their simplistic solutions would create uncertainty and chaos, undermining the EU’s governing institutions and internal cohesion. This institutional weakness would only encourage Russian aggression.
**Freedom of Speech Must Apply to Disinformation Peddlers**
The EU must ban Russian and Russia-related media, including seemingly independent outlets, and monitor social-media platforms for potential dissemination of pro-Kremlin propaganda. European politicians with ties to Vladimir Putin should also face repercussions so that the domestic costs outweigh the benefits conferred by these connections.
**Reforming Governance Mechanisms**
To prevent hard force from being the only option, the EU should reform its governance mechanisms. This could involve extending recognition to occupied nations as independent states, which has worked before in cases like Poland and Ukraine.
**Russia is a Paper Tiger**
Despite appearing powerful, Russia is actually a paper tiger with a crumbling economy. Regional elites will soon realize that they no longer have to tolerate the Kremlin’s racism, economic exploitation, and expansionism. In fact, many free countries emerged from the disintegration of the Russian Empire in 1917 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
**The EU Must Act Fast**
To live freely, Europe must take steps alongside its rearmament efforts, regardless of any negotiations or ceasefire agreements. Russia has shown that it can talk for years without effect, and Putin will use any ceasefire to prepare for another attack while intensifying hybrid warfare, including information operations and sabotage.
Putin’s imperial ambitions won’t be derailed by talking, and any hope of striking a deal with Russia will only help him reach his goals. If Europe wants to live freely, it must act fast.