The current Ukraine crisis shows us that we Europeans cannot depend on others to defend us.

The European Union needs to be ready to defend itself and its values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

Therefore, we the citizens of Europe hereby express our utmost support for the establishment of a European army.

The idea of a European Army has been with us since the foundation of our Union and many steps have been taken to strengthen cooperation between the national forces. Yet national forces can never be as strong as a united European Army can be.

It is high time to start building a European Army.