\n<\/p>\n
European Council president Charles Michel said that Europe must strengthen its defense measures and shift to a \u201cwar economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement comes as many European nations believe Russia will remain a threat in its war with Ukraine before possibly targeting other countries.<\/p>\n
Michel also used his statement to advocate for more funds to be given to Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we do not get the EU\u2019s response right and do not give Ukraine enough support to stop Russia, we are next. We must therefore be defense-ready and shift to a \u2018war economy\u2019 mode,\u201d he wrote<\/a> in an op-ed, adding, \u201cWe must strengthen our military ability both for Ukraine and Europe, to defend the democratic world. A stronger EU will also contribute to a stronger NATO alliance and enhance our collective defence.\u201d<\/p>\n The European Union has poured billions of dollars into Ukraine. It recently announced<\/a> an additional $5 billion euros, or $5.5 billion U.S. dollars, for Ukraine on top of a $54.5 billion package announced<\/a> last June.<\/p>\n NATO military committee chief Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer made similar comments in January, saying the West needs to prepare for a \u201cconflict with Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to have water, flashlights, and a radio on batteries to make sure you survive the first 36 hours,\u201d he said. \u201cThings like that, simple things. But it starts there, the realization that not everything is plannable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not saying it is going wrong tomorrow, but we have to realize it\u2019s not a given that we are in peace. And that\u2019s why we [NATO] are preparing for a conflict with Russia,\u201d he noted, emphasizing, \u201cWe are not seeking any conflict. But if they attack us, we have to be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n