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The European Union needs a dedicated intelligence agency to strengthen defense against espionage and foreign interference, according to a new report from former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, released Wednesday. Tasked by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Niinistö’s review calls for better intelligence sharing, counter-espionage, and a specialized anti-sabotage network to protect infrastructure across the bloc.
Niinistö emphasized that, as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine continues on the EU’s eastern border, the need for coordinated defense has grown. EU countries have already faced increasing threats, including espionage, drones monitoring military sites, and attacks on infrastructure. In his report, Niinistö proposed an EU-wide intelligence service to support both strategic and operational goals, similar to the “Five Eyes” alliance of intelligence agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Von der Leyen agreed on the need for more robust information-sharing among EU nations while recognizing that national governments still hold primary responsibility for intelligence collection. Niinistö also suggested creating an EU Preparedness Law to set shared defense standards, tackle cybersecurity expert shortages, and encourage civil defense training programs.
This proposal marks a new chapter in the EU’s defense approach, setting the stage for the EU's first defense commissioner, who will be responsible for drafting a white paper on defense in the spring.
Source: Politico
