Brussels, 24 June 2026

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) welcomes the decision of the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions (PETI) to declare open Petition No. 0456/2025 on the Reform of the Treaty of Lisbon, following a public hearing held yestarday, on 23 June 2026.

The petition was presented before the Committee by UEF President Domènec Ruiz Devesa and Secretary General Mathilde Baudouin, in the presence of the UEF Vice-President Daphne Gogou. The PETI Committee's decision to keep the petition open represents a significant step forward in the campaign Treaty Reform Now! and reinforces the UEF's call for a federal, democratic and sovereign Europe capable of acting decisively on the global stage.

During the hearing, the petition received the explicit support of eight Members of the European Parliament spanning multiple political groups: MEPs Andrea Wechsler (EPP), Brando Benifei (S&D), Raquel García Hermida-Van der Walle (Renew), Gabriele Bischoff (S&D), Nikolas Farantouris (The Left), Vasile Dîncu (S&D), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D), and Thijs Reuten (S&D). Their cross-partisan backing demonstrates growing parliamentary consensus around the urgent need for institutional reform.

Speaking before the Committee, UEF President Ruiz Devesa stressed the existential urgency of the moment: "The EU faces an increasingly unstable world. The decision-making processes, often conditioned by vetoes, paralyze our ability to respond to crises. This is unacceptable." Secretary General Baudouin underlined the democratic dimension of the petition: "The European Parliament is the only institution directly elected by European citizens, and its proposals must not be ignored."

The petition urges the PETI Committee to keep the matter open as a priority, to request an implementation report from the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) to track progress on Treaty reform, and to address institutional reform in the context of the MFF negotiations and the 2027 budget, using Parliament's budgetary powers to press the Council into action.

The UEF recalls that the European Parliament has already twice reaffirmed its commitment to Treaty change since the petition was submitted in April 2025 — through resolutions adopted in October and November 2025 — while the European Council has continued to ignore Parliament's calls to open a Convention under Article 48 TEU.

"Citizens across Europe are calling for a stronger, united Europe capable of defending democracy, providing security, and acting with one voice," said Ruiz Devesa. "Today's hearing shows that an increasing number of MEPs are willing      to stand with them, and that the European Commission is ready to move forward. The European Council must no longer delay."

PRESS CONTACT

Mathilde Baudouin, Secretary General of the UEF

secreatiat@federalists.eu

Please find the attachments below

• Decision on the Petition 
• Other documents on the Petition

This Press release has been relaunched

1. La Unión de Federalistas Europeos obtiene un avance importante para la reforma del Tratado de Lisboa - El Triangle

Promotion on Instagram social media

Brussels, 23 June 2026

European security is under threat, together with the world order, as shown by four years of Russian aggression on Ukraine. However, progress on European defence is very insufficient, both at the industrial and political dimensions, which in fact are closely connected. The collapse of the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is a very illustrative case in point of a political gap masked by industrial failure, due to the disagreements between privately owned Dassault and the semi-state-owned Airbus, over control of the programme and workshare, access to sensitive technology, and ownership of the intellectual property developed during the project.

The collapse of FCAS pushed German and Spanish companies to propose a new “Team Gen 6”, outlining plans to pursue a next-generation fighter architecture outside the original SCAF framework. All of this, while the alternative Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) by Italy, UK and Japan is going ahead. We risk having three competing projects, where we need just one.

However, the industrial deadlock between Dassault and Airbus was not merely a commercial dispute over workshare and intellectual property, but the expression of different national political preferences and defence postures: France's doctrine of full military self-sufficiency - encompassing not only independent nuclear deterrence, but also carrier aviation, and sovereign control over its entire defence industrial base - clashed with Germany's different operational requirements and its preference to operate with allied systems. Ultimately, the governments proved either unwilling or unable to impose a compromise on the companies - unwilling, because the positions each company defended largely reflected what their respective governments considered non-negotiable national interests, and unable, because forcing a concession would have meant overriding those very interests.

In other words, this case shows once again, very clearly, that neither industrial companies nor national governments to which they are linked, can lead on military integration. A greater role for the European Commission and the European Defence Agency operating within the framework of a Common European Defence System, and stricter requirements to access EU funding is needed to go towards joint procurement and the reduction of the European weapons system. The fact that the 27 Member states have around 130 types of major land, air and naval weapon systems and the US around 30, is a key reason why we spend 30% of the US with a 10% capacity, thus wasting most of our expenditures ineffectively. The EU should incentivise the merging of these projects to create one European sixth generation fighter jet.

To reach strategic autonomy Member states must accept to go beyond voluntary industrial cooperation toward limited but real centralised procurement authority for major defence systems, alongside clearer allocation of industrial leadership based on capability rather than political return. Successful EU defence procurement is in the end dependent on setting up a European Common Defence. A European multinational force, starting with the Rapid Deployment Capacity, to whom to allocate EU-funded defence equipment is thus a crucial step.

Such an EU supranational authority must define what we need, and thus the technical specificities of the future weapon system, and the open procurement to procedures, instead of national enterprises that reflect private interests or narrow national interests. 

While national defence expenditures are increasing, joint procurement is stuck at 20 per cent. However, the new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) threshold for joint procurement is even lower than the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) ones. If SAFE 150 billion € were used to strengthen EDIRPA, the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Agency to finance joint programs (for example to merge the Anglo-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme and the FCAS), this would allow significant progress. But SAFE only finances national military expenditures, which continue to benefit mainly US enterprises, with US weapons exports to Europe doubling between 2021 and 2024.

An EU defence is essential to gain deterrence capacity and ensure the EU security, spending more efficiently and reducing US dependencies. This requires identifying our capability gaps – an exercise regularly done both within NATO and the EU – developing tools to fill them, starting with the strategic enablers, for which we depend massively on the US. The Joint Undertakings could be a tool for the Commission, Members states and private actors to cooperate in developing European satellite monitoring and communication systems, air defence, troop transport, and cyber-defence capacities.

The EU must rise to the challenge of the reduced US commitment to European security, amplified and accelerated by the current administration, but started much earlier. The NATO New Force Model, approved under Biden Presidency, foresees that in the case of an attack against a European NATO member, NATO should mobilise 300.000 troops in a month, all of them Europeans. Only at later stages US troops could eventually be mobilised. With a possible significant reduction of the US troops in Europe, the need to strengthen EU capacity for territorial defence is evident. Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence (PESCO) could be used by willing Member states to upgrade the Rapid Deployment Capacity into an EU permanent multinational force – already agreed by the European Council in Helsinki in 1999 but never made fully operational – to communitarise existing bi-lateral and multinational military cooperation among Member states, like the Baltic Naval Squadron, the Franco-German Brigade, the Eurocorps, etc, and to develop a true EU command-and-control system, possibly linked to NATO. 

As Mario Draghi said in Aachen “external hardness requires internal depth”. Progress in common defence, a common industrial policy, and investments (which require resources), and federal political union, are closely interlinked. Achieving them requires the political will of at least some Member States to proceed in a unified manner across all these sectors. If steps are not taken along this path soon, citizens’ confidence in Europe’s ability to protect them will further erode, and nationalist forces will gain ground.

Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF

Mathilde Baudouin, Secretary General of the UEF

Brussels-Madrid, 29 May 2026

The Union of European Federalists Spain (UEF España), the Union of European Federalists (UEF), and the Spanish Federal Council of the European Movement (CFEME) welcome the approval by the Spanish Congress of Deputies of a Resolution (Proposición No de Ley) calling on the Government of Spain to declare, with irrevocable character, Spain's membership of the European Union, and support for the federal reform of the Treaties.

On 28 May 2026, the Plenary of the Congress of Deputies approved Resolution 162/000767, ext negotiated across parliamentary groups, which instructs the Government of Spain to:

• Reaffirm and advance Spain's commitment to the European project as guarantor of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, security and economic stability;
• Declare with irrevocable character Spain's membership of the European Union;
• Support in the European Council the project for reform of the Treaties to strengthen European sovereignty and independence, endowing the Union with greater capacity to act in foreign policy, security, defence, energy, industry and the ecological, digital and social transitions, while guaranteeing social and territorial cohesion and the principle of subsidiarity;
• Promote the full development of the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights with regard to regions and peoples of the European Union;
• Work with fellow Member States towards the recognition of Basque, Galician and Catalan as official languages of the European Union.

The resolution was approved with the support of several parliamentary groups and marks the 40th anniversary of Spain's accession to the then European Communities, formalised on 12 June 1985.

A Milestone in Spain's European Vocation

UEF España, UEF and CFEME welcome this resolution as a significant political statement. Spain has consistently been one of the most pro-European societies in the Union, and this declaration consolidates that tradition at the highest level of democratic representation.

The resolution is also notable for its explicit endorsement of the reform of the EU Treaties proposed by the European Parliament in November 2023 — a proposal that has long formed part of the agenda advocated by European federalist organisations. Moving beyond unanimity rules and strengthening the Union's capacity to act in key policy areas is not a federalist aspiration alone: it is, as the resolution rightly states, a functional necessity for a Union that must remain credible and effective in an increasingly complex world.

The Role of Civil Society

Our organisations have long argued, through publications, public debate and engagement with political actors, that Spain's commitment to the European project should be stated clearly and durably — not as a mere political preference but as a foundational orientation of the Spanish state.

We are pleased that these debates have found their way into the legislative process, and we acknowledge with appreciation the initiative of the Socialist Parliamentary Group (GPS) and the other parliamentary groups that supported or contributed to the final text. This is, above all, a success of Spain's democratic institutions and of the broad pro-European consensus that underpins them.

Looking Ahead: From Parliamentary Resolution to Government Declaration

A parliamentary resolution is a powerful political signal. Its full potential, however, will be realised only when the Government of Spain acts upon it. We call on the Government to follow through on the mandate of the Congress by issuing a formal, solemn declaration of Spain's irrevocable commitment to the European Union — a step that, under the principles of international law governing unilateral declarations of States, would carry legal weight beyond the domestic political sphere.

We equally urge the Spanish Government to translate its support for Treaty reform into active, constructive engagement within the European Council, where this proposal has yet to receive the attention it deserves.

Quotes

Enrique Barón Crespo, President of the UEF España: "Forty years after accession, Spain is not merely a member of the European Union — it is one of its most committed builders. This resolution reflects that spirit and sends a clear message: Spain's place is in Europe, and that place is not up for debate."

Domenec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF: "We congratulate the Spanish Congress of Deputies for this forward-looking resolution. At a time when the European project needs friends who speak clearly, Spain has done so. We hope other national parliaments will follow this example in supporting the proposal to reform the Treaties"

Francisco Aldecoa , President of the CFEME: "The European Movement has worked for decades to make European integration irreversible not just in law but in the hearts and minds of citizens. This resolution is a step in that direction, and we encourage the Government to give it the fullest possible effect."

About the organisations

• UEF España (Unión de Europeístas y Federalistas de España) is the Spanish section of the Union of European Federalists, advocating for a democratic, federal and united Europe.
• UEF (Union of European Federalists) is a pan-European citizens' organisation with members across all EU Member States, working towards a federal Europe based on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights.
• CFEME (Consejo Federal Español del Movimiento Europeo) is the Spanish national council of the European Movement International, the oldest pro-European civil society network in Europe.

For media enquiries, please contact:

• UEF Secretariat, secretariat@federalists.eu

The Dutch Renew  and D66 MEP Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle will take over the rotating presidency of the parliamentary intergroup.

Strasbourg, May 21, 2026

Dutch Renew Europe and D66 MEP Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle will take over the rotating presidency of the parliamentary intergroup. She was elected by acclamation on Monday 18th May by the Spinelli Group Board in Strasbourg.
The appointment was announced during the Public General Assembly “40 Years After Spinelli”, held at the European Parliament to honour the legacy of Altiero Spinelli and his vision for a federal Europe promoted by the UEF and European Movement France.

As Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle succeeds Gabriele Bischoff, S&D and SPD MEP and First Vice-President of Europa-Union Deutschland, in the rotating presidency of the Spinelli Group, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) expresses its full support for her leadership and its continued commitment to working closely with the Group in advancing the federalist cause.

The Spinelli Group and the Union of European Federalists warmly thank Gabriele Bischoff for her dedicated chairwomanship since July 2025 and her commitment to strengthening the federalist movement within the European Parliament.

“Serving as Chair of the Spinelli Group has been a profound honour. At a time when Europe faces existential geopolitical, democratic and social challenges, our responsibility has been to defend and strengthen the European project with courage and ambition.
As the first woman ever to chair the Spinelli Group, I am particularly proud to have contributed to broadening and strengthening our federalist coalition across political families and national borders. Europe’s future will only be secured through unity, democracy and a stronger capacity to act together.
The European moment is now. Europeans expect us to move beyond fragmentation and vetoes, and to build a Union capable of protecting its citizens, defending its values and shaping its own destiny.” Gabriele Bischoff said.

During Bischoff’s presidency, and in addition to regular Board meetings, the Spinelli Group organised several politically significant events dedicated to the future of European integration and institutional reforms.
These included:

• The high-level conference “For a Stronger, More Democratic and Inclusive European Union – Towards a European Federation” in November 2025 in the Hellenic Parliament in Athens, which brought together policymakers and civil society representatives to discuss democratic reform and the future architecture of the European Union.
• The initiative “Bring a European Federalist” reception at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, aimed at fostering dialogue between Members of the European Parliament and inviting them to join the Spinelli Group.
• The round table held during the UEF European Congress in Barcelona, entitled “Is Draghi’s Pragmatic Federalism enough to face current challenges?”
• The event in May 2026 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg celebrating 40 years after Altiero Spinelli’s passing.Under Bischoff’s leadership, the Spinelli Group also adopted and promoted an updated political manifesto, “The European Moment is Now”, calling, in a concrete and pragmatic proposal, for a more sovereign, democratic and federal European Union capable of acting decisively in an increasingly unstable global environment.

The new President, Raquel García Hermida declared after her appointment: “Forty years ago, Spain joined the European Union. Today, as a Spaniard who became a Dutch citizen and now serves as a Dutch Member of the European Parliament, I see my own story as part of the European story itself.
The European Union gave me the freedom to live, work, and participate politically across borders. That is the European dream: a Europe where everyone can benefit from freedom, opportunity, and shared citizenship.
But our freedoms, prosperity, and security cannot be taken for granted. I deeply believe that only a stronger and more federal Europe can protect future generations and preserve the values that define us.
We do not need the American dream. We have our own European dream. And in that dream is the future of civilization as we know it.”

The federalist movement is deeply grateful to have such dedicated individuals supporting its cause.
Thank you very much Gabriele, Good work Raquel!

Brussels, 13 April 2026 

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) warmly welcomes the outcome of the Hungarian parliamentary elections of 12 April 2026. We congratulate the winner and next Prime Minister Peter Magyar and the Hungarian people for their democratic engagement, for reaffirming their commitment to European values, the rule of law, and solidarity with the rest of the Union. 

The resounding defeat of Viktor Orbán constitutes an extremely positive and timely development not only for Hungary, but for Europe as a whole, and for Ukraine. At a moment when the European Union must demonstrate unity and resolve in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression and US threats against their commitment in the transatlantic Alliance, the prospect of constructive engagement from Budapest represents a significant step forward, after all these years of obstruction by Orbán and his violations of the principle on loyal and sincere cooperation, including sharing information and coordinating his actions with Putin. 

Therefore, the UEF urges the incoming Hungarian government to lift its predecessor's vetoes, and on the European institutions—most notably the Council—to act without delay, once the new Hungarian government takes office, to: 

• adopt the €90 billion financial assistance package for Ukraine, ensuring sustained macro-financial support and reconstruction capacity;  

• approve the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, reinforcing the Union’s economic and political pressure on the Kremlin.  

At the same time, the UEF stresses that the structural weaknesses of the Union’s decision-making system remain unchanged. The end of a single obstructionist government does not resolve the systemic risks associated with unanimity in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and other key areas. 

Therefore, the UEF identifies a window of opportunity between now and the French presidential elections of April 2027 to advance decisive institutional reforms. In particular, the European Council should: 

• agree to activate the passerelle clauses provided for in the Treaties to extend qualified majority voting in CFSP and budgetary and financial matters, among others, and if unanimity is lacking, proceed with enhanced cooperations.  

• agree to activate Article 42.2 TEU on establishing European Common Defence, and if unanimity is lacking, proceed under Permanent Structured Cooperation. 

• follow up on the European Parliament’s proposals for Treaty revision under Article 48 TEU.  

Europe must not rely on favourable political contingencies to function effectively. It must endow itself with the institutional tools necessary to act decisively, regardless of national political cycles. 

The UEF stands ready to support all efforts aimed at strengthening the Union’s unity, democratic legitimacy and capacity to act. 

Domènec Ruiz Devesa , President and MEP 2019-2024

Mathilde Baudouin , Secretary General 

Domènec Ruiz Devesa re-elected by acclamation as President of the Union of European Federalists.

Former Spanish Member of the European Parliament Domènec Ruiz Devesa has been re-elected by acclamation as President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) during the XXIX European Congress held in Barcelona from 20 to 22 March 2026, co-organised with UEF Spain and UEF Catalunya Federalistes d’Esquerres. 

This re-election comes at a particularly symbolic moment, as 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the organisation, founded in 1946 to promote the political unity of Europe. Ruiz Devesa is the first Spaniard to lead the UEF in its history.

A High-Level European and Institutional Congress

The opening session brought together prominent European, national, and local political figures, including the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia Salvador Illa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares, 

the Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni, former EU High Representative and Commission Vice President Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the European Parliament Javier López, and former President of the European Parliament Enrique Barón Crespo. 

Notably, both President Illa and Minister Albares emphasised the importance of the federalist path as a response to today’s challenges, highlighting the role of a more integrated Europe in ensuring peace, social justice, and international stability. To watch the welcoming speeches, please find here below

Debating the Future of European Federalism

A key highlight of the Congress was the Spinelli Group debate titled “Is Draghi's Pragmatic Federalism enough to face current challenges?”, which gathered leading federalist figures such as Gabriele Bischoff, MEP and President of the Spinelli Group, former HR/VP Josep Borrell, and Guy Verhofstadt, former Prime Minister of Belgium, Former MEP and ex-officio Board Member of the Spinelli Group. The discussion underscored the need for a method to strengthen political ambition in European integration to address current geopolitical, economic, and security challenges. While the necessity of deeper integration is widely acknowledged, the focus must now shift to concrete actions to achieve it. 

Celebrating 80 Years of Federalism

The Congress also marked the 80th anniversary of the UEF with a cocktail reception featuring an art exhibition by Lorenzo Epis, symbolising the connection between culture, European citizenship, and the federalist project. 

Another important moment was the event bringing together former UEF Presidents—Jo Leinen, Mercedes Bresso, Andrew Duff, Elmar Brok, and Sandro Gozi—who reflected on the evolution of the European federalist movement. By acclamation, they all became Honorary Presidents. 

A Political Agenda for a More United Europe

Throughout the Congress, which continued over the weekend, delegates debated and adopted key political resolutions outlining an ambitious vision for the future of the European Union. Key priorities include:

• overcoming unanimity in key policy areas such as foreign affairs, defence, and taxation;
• advancing towards a credible and operational European Defence Union;
• developing a common fiscal capacity, including instruments such as eurobonds;
• promoting deeper integration through coherent enhanced cooperation;
• advancing Treaty reform and strengthening the role of European citizens.

New Leadership Elected

The Congress also elected the new statutory bodies of the UEF. Alongside President Ruiz Devesa, the following Vice-Presidents were elected: Daphne Gogou, Giulia Rossolillo, Markus Ferber MEP, and Alin Mituta former MEP 2019-2024. Antonio Argenziano was elected Treasurer. 

The Executive Bureau also includes Eszter Nagy, Liubba El Hadi Hamed, Roberto Castaldi, Simina Tulbure, Michael Montag, José Luis Salazar, Sebastian Camarero, and François Leray. The Secretary General Mathilde Baudouin is confirmed in her charge. 

A Mandate for European Political Union

Following his re-election, Domenec Ruiz Devesa stated: 
“Europe is at a moment where it must take a qualitative leap towards political union to ensure its security, prosperity, and global relevance.” 

He further stressed that European federalism “is no longer an option, but a practical necessity,” calling on European institutions and national governments to act with greater ambition. 

The UEF Secretariat

Brussels, 6 March 2026

As European Federalists we express our solidarity to the Iranian people and recall the urgent need for a common European foreign policy.

The Union of European Federalists strongly condemns the military escalation in the Middle East which took, in a few hours, a dramatic dimension involving 15 States. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran against countries in the region, undermine international peace and security and constitute a clear violation of international law. The recent experience in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan has demonstrated that wars seeking to overthrow authoritarian regimes could not successfully install democratic regimes but instead proliferate chaos and dictatorships.

We recall that all States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, which clearly prohibits “the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”

As European Federalists, we recall our support for democracy in Iran and we focus on standing with the Iranian people, and in particular women and youth, in their fight against authoritarianism. We condemn the regime’s violent suppression of protests over the past decades. We express our solidarity with the Iranian people, commending their courage and determination for freedom, liberty and the fight for a better future. We emphasize that Iranians deserve to live under a government that respects human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.

We welcome the January 2026 EU decision to officially designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, as requested by the European Parliament; a long overdue decision which puts an end to the impunity of the main actor of the Iranian regime.

We regret the absence of a strong common European Union position concerning the escalation in the Middle East, due to the division of the 27 Member States, which weakens the Union’s global role. We emphasize the direct impact of the current crisis on all Member States and the urgent need for a common European foreign policy.

We call the Union to be actively involved in initiatives aimed at an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. The risks of a wider regional conflict could have grave consequences on the proliferation of nuclear weapons, chronic economic instability and the forced displacement of people. We strongly encourage the European Union to actively participate in diplomatic initiatives looking for a peaceful settlement of the crisis in the Middle East, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.

We call on all EU institutions and Member States to reject Trump’s trade threats against Spain and take the appropriate defensive measures in the event.

We finally reiterate the urgent need for a strong European common foreign policy and strategic autonomy, calling on European leaders to start the process of the necessary Treaty changes, towards a federation which will save our democratic way of life, peace and freedom while at the same time respecting European security and economic interests.

UEF STATEMENT ON FRENCH ADVANCED NUCLEAR DETERRENCE

President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to extend France’s nuclear deterrence to European partners offers a significant political signal towards the establishment of a common European defence outside the NATO framework, even if it stops far short of creating a fully shared European nuclear force.  The French proposal is a response to the relaunch of Russian and Chinese nuclear forces but also to US ambiguous stance towards European security.

With this proposal, France has declared that the overall continental security affects its vital national interests and therefore offers to integrate the interests of other European partners in its strategic reflection, including common consultations on threats; joint work on intelligence and detection, air defence, and deep-strike capabilities; the possibility to participate in nuclear military exercises; and the deployment of nuclear-armed French air forces in other European countries to enhance forward deterrence.

In addition, while the French-German joint statement of 2 March states that advanced deterrence it is meant to strengthen the NATO nuclear mission, and the “systems of collective security” of both the Atlantic Alliance (article 5 of the Treaty of Washington) and of the EU (article 42.7 Treaty on the European Union), the proposal would create a second, independent, and NATO-consistent layer of European nuclear deterrence. Both France and Germany emphasize that this plan respects the Treaty on Non-Proliferation.

On the other hand, President Macron has ruled out any allied participation in planning, implementation or decision about the use of the French nuclear arsenal. It will remain strictly under national command and control, with the President of the Republic retaining sole authority over its use. In legal terms, the force de frappe remains entirely French.

Macron has also stressed that advance deterrence is not an explicit security guarantee. Any extension of deterrence would remain deliberately ambiguous, preserving the flexibility that is central to the current nuclear strategy. As a result, partner states would gain political assurance and strategic dialogue, but not a codified, legally binding nuclear guarantee.

These two limitations constitute the price that Europe as a whole is paying because of decades of missed opportunities to integrate and strengthen its defence cooperation while national governments did not address the issue of creating shared sovereignty in time by thoroughly reforming its institutions, despite the process undertaken in this regard by the Conference on the Future of Europe and the proposals drawn up in the European Parliament in recent years.

Even in the current intergovernmental framework, however, and with the noted restrictions, this major move will not only benefit France but potentially all EU Member States, by offering a second, European layer of nuclear deterrence.

Therefore, the Union of European Federalists welcomes that some EU member states already accepted the French proposal of advanced deterrence and calls on all the others to do so, with a view of integrating it in the Common Defence envisioned on article 42 of the Treaty of the European Union, through Permanent Structured Cooperation.  In this regard, the UEF recalls its policy proposal for a Common European Defense System published in March 2025, which supported already the “Europeanisation of French uclear capabilities with shared financing from willing EU member States”.

This can be the very first step towards pooling warheads and the establishment of a European multinational force comparable to NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements, a common European nuclear budget, and share decision-making power, with an EU “nuclear button,” eventually with the transfer of operational control to the European Union.

UEF also calls all Member States and EU institutions to support our proposal on a common European defence, consisting of the national armies of the Member States and a 28th European Army, coordinated in a common structure, compatible with NATO and serving as its European Pillar.

For this purpose - since European security requires to move towards collective burden-sharing, from intelligence gathering to budget allocating, and therefore the democratic governance of this evolution - the answer lies in a parallel progressive federalization of matters of European interest, so that European citizens can decide their future and the means to reach for it, through their European Parliament and executive.

The UEF share also the French president's view that the ultimate goal is a world without nuclear arms. This is a goal that can only be fully achieved through a world federation, but a sovereign Europe could already contribute to bringing this goal closer by committing itself to building a cooperative world order based on shared rules, in which diplomacy and international law once again become the instruments for pursuing international political objectives.

As the Action Committee for a United States of Europe, they addressed a letter to President António Costa ahead of the extraordinary European Council meeting.

Brussels, January 21, 2026

On the eve of the extraordinary European Council Meeting, members, promoters, and allies of the relaunched Monnet’s Action Committee for the United States of Europe addressed a letter to President Antonio Costa, underscoring a moment of existential urgency for the European Union. The letter was published yesterday by Euractiv: LINK

The past year has marked a fundamental shift in the transatlantic relationship. What were once commercial disputes or diplomatic disagreements have, under the current U.S. administration, evolved into a systematic policy of coercion, one that repeatedly violates international law. From threats to the territorial integrity of an Arctic Member State to the unilateral imposition of arbitrary tariffs and the withdrawal of critical defense assets, these actions are not isolated incidents. They signal the collapse of a security model built on external dependency.

In response, the Action Committee has outlined eight concrete steps to forge a sovereign Europe, capable of defending its interests, values, and future.

As the poet Hölderlin wrote: "But where the danger is, also grows the saving power." That power lies in our unity. The current geopolitical moment must serve as Europe’s opportunity to achieve political unity. On security, Europe can no longer remain a fragmented protectorate; it must emerge as a sovereign actor.

The time for hesitation is over. The path forward is clear: Europe must act—now, together, and decisively.

One year after Donald Trump’s second inauguration, it is clear that the strategy of appeasement pursued by Member States and Commission has utterly failed. It has not been just a miscalculation, but an abdication of duty. From false accusations of misinformation and limitation of the freedom of speech, to the arbitrary and unilateral NATO defence spending targets and the predatory "Turnberry Tariffs" (15% vs 0%), to the pressures to alter our digital and environmental regulations, the US National Security Strategy, the sanctions against EU citizens and former officials, blatant violations of international law, and the illegal pressure for Greenland’s annexation, Europe has endured a year of impositions and humiliations. Enough is enough!

The Union of European Federalists calls for an immediate change of course through the following 7-point programmatic roadmap:

I. Immediate Measures

1. Rejection of the 2025 Turnberry Tariffs: The European Parliament must refuse to approve this lopsided deal. We cannot sacrifice our sovereignty and economy to avoid upsetting the White House.
2. Activation of the Anti-Coercion Instrument: The EU must use its existing tools to counter Washington’s systematic policy of economic pressure to take over Greenland, including in the digital field.
3. EU Deployment in Greenland: We must put the current deployment of troops from European countries in Greenland under EU command, including the planning of exercises by the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity. Protecting the territorial integrity of the Arctic is a common European responsibility.

II. Strategic Sovereignty

4. Full European Responsibility for Ukraine: We must accept that the defence of  Ukraine and of Europe are intertwined, and fall on us. This requires increasing and accelerating current investments to substitute the so-called "irreplaceable" US assets, specifically increasing our satellite capabilities, intelligence feed, strategic airlift, air-to-air refuelling, and high-end electronic warfare.
5. Activation of Common Defence (Lisbon Treaty): As recently requested by leaders like Pedro Sánchez, we must activate the common defence provisions in the Lisbon Treaty, or by those States willing to proceed, in order to create an EU chain of military command, including the implementation of the Kubilius plan of a 100,000-strong EU multinational force.
6. Strengthened promotion of EU models of digital payments: including the digital euro, social networks, software, and artificial intelligence.

III. The Federal Leap

7. Constitutional Reform for the United States of Europe: We must immediately open the process for the reform of the Treaties on the basis of Parliament´s proposal of November 2023 to constitute the United States of Europe. This means an empowered Parliament, an Executive capable of acting, and the general abolition of national vetoes in the Council.

Appeasement only feeds authoritarianism and vassalisation; federal unity is our only way out.

As the poet Hölderlin wrote: "But where the danger is, also grows the saving power."

Brussels, 19th January 2026

Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of the European Federalists and MEP 2019-2024

Mathilde Baudouin, Secretary General of the Union of European Federalists