The Blubber

Brussels has proposed that EU households should stockpile essential supplies sufficient for at least 72 hours to withstand potential crises, as the ongoing war in Ukraine and shifting geopolitical tensions push the bloc to bolster its security measures.

The conflict in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic—which exposed severe gaps in crisis response capabilities—and the confrontational stance of the Trump administration toward Europe have compelled the continent to reassess its vulnerabilities and ramp up investments in defense and security.

This initiative comes as European intelligence agencies caution that Russia could target an EU member state within the next three to five years, in addition to other natural threats such as floods and wildfires intensified by climate change, as well as societal risks including financial crises.

Europe is now facing heightened risks, “including the possibility of armed aggression against member states,” the European Commission warned on Wednesday, as it unveiled a 30-step plan for its 27 member nations to enhance crisis preparedness and mitigation strategies.

“New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Our citizens, our member states, and our businesses need the right tools to act—both to prevent crises and to respond swiftly when disaster strikes.”

This Brussels-led initiative, comprising concrete actions by the EU executive and non-legislative recommendations for national governments, draws inspiration from well-established crisis-response policies in Finland, Sweden, and Belgium.

A key objective is to serve as a wake-up call for capitals lacking robust crisis-response mechanisms.

Beyond encouraging “the public to take practical steps, such as keeping essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours in emergencies,” the Commission proposes the creation of an “EU crisis hub” to coordinate cross-border responses.

It also advocates for increased “stockpiling of critical equipment and materials” and calls for measures to maintain continuity in essential services, including healthcare, water supply, and telecommunications, during conflicts or disasters.

The initiative follows an October report commissioned by the EU, in which former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö warned that Europe had taken its security for granted since the Cold War’s end and was now vulnerable.

“We are facing a growing number of external security challenges and an increasing wave of hybrid attacks,” said Kaja Kallas, the Commission’s Vice-President for Foreign and Security Policy. “It is clear that Europe must be stronger at every level of society. Prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of crises.”