EU Resolution and the Tartar East – fresh Pillars of safety of Europe
New EU safety Strategy
On 12 March 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the strengthening of the defence of the European Union, which officially recognised the “Tarcza East” task as a key component of Europe's fresh safety strategy. This paper stresses the request to adapt the Union's defence policy to the expanding threats on the east flank resulting from geopolitical tensions and changes in the global power system.
This resolution is part of a broader plan to enhance Europe's defence capacity by:
• strengthening the external borders of the Union,
• improvement of common defence systems,
• expanding military cooperation between associate States,
• further integration of the European arms industry.
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The paper stresses that the protection of the Union's borders cannot be based solely on national capabilities, but requires coordinated action by all associate States and support from the EU institutions.
Tarcza East – the foundation of Europe's fresh defence
One of the key elements of the resolution adopted is the designation of the “Hard East” as the flagship draft of the EU common safety and defence policy. This initiative, originally developed by Poland, envisages building a complex strategy of fortifications, field fortifications and modern defence technologies aimed at securing the east borders of the Union.
The planned solutions include:
• Construction of a fortification strategy – including field obstacles, anti-tank ditches and anti-desertion protections.
• improvement of detection and consequence systems – utilizing modern radar technologies, acoustic sensors and satellite monitoring networks.
• Location of drone systems – providing effective protection against possible threats from the air.
• Integrating military infrastructure with NATO and EU forces – enabling faster consequence to escalation of threats.
The Tarcza East task will be implemented in stages from 2024 to 2028, with an estimated cost of PLN 10 billion.
EU safety White Paper – a fresh defence concept
In the context of the resolution adopted, it is besides crucial that the White Paper on safety of the European Union, which, for the first time in history, sets out concrete actions on a common defence policy, is set out. This paper sets out the directions for the EU's defence improvement for the coming decades, indicating the request to build deterrence capacity and respond to fresh threats.
The main assumptions of the White Paper include:
• Increase the EU defence budget – introduction of fresh mechanisms for financing military and defence projects under the European Defence Fund.
• Integrating the European arms manufacture – creating a common platform for the improvement of fresh military technologies and digital defence systems.
• Strengthen associate States' military cooperation – including joint exercises, interoperability of equipment and standardisation of operational procedures.
• The improvement of cyber defence and protection of critical infrastructure – expanding investment in cybersecurity systems and protecting strategical sectors of the economy.
The White Paper besides stresses the request to build Europe's strategical autonomy, which means reducing dependence on external allies on defence issues.
A common direction for Europe
The adoption of the resolution by the European Parliament is an crucial step towards a more integrated defence policy of the European Union. The Tarcza East and the White safety Paper form the foundation of a fresh defence strategy, which focuses on proactive action and strengthening the EU's borders.
This decision shows that the European Union is ready for fresh challenges and is consistently developing defence mechanisms to guarantee the safety of all associate States in a changing global environment.
Maximilian Rice
Assistant Senator Adam Szejnfeld
It was developed on the basis of messages from the Prime Minister and the European Parliament.
