Brussels officials are set to develop a plan for using the EU’s little-known mutual assistance pact in case of a foreign attack, as Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO grows stronger.
EU leaders have agreed that the European Commission “will prepare a blueprint” on how the bloc should respond if the mutual assistance clause is triggered, according to Nikos Christodoulides, the president of Cyprus, who is hosting the talks.
They discussed the mutual defence clause, known as Article 42.7 of the EU treaty, on Thursday night, just before reports emerged that the US was looking into suspending Spain from NATO.
Trump, who has long criticised the transatlantic military alliance, has ramped up his attacks on the “very disappointing NATO” after European countries refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. This month, he said he was “absolutely without question” considering pulling the US out of NATO, pushing the 77-year-old alliance into its worst crisis ever.
Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister – who has been the most outspoken European critic of the war in Iran – said on Friday that Spain is a loyal NATO member, while repeating his criticism of “the failure of brute force in the Middle East.”
In this context, interest has been revived in the EU’s mutual assistance clause, which requires member states to provide “aid and assistance by all the means in their power” if another member is attacked by a foreign government or non-state group.
France is the only country that has triggered Article 42.7, after the 2015 Paris attacks, when militants killed 130 people in bars, restaurants, a stadium, and the Bataclan concert hall. France asked other member states to take over some of its overseas military duties so it could move troops back home for security.
The lack of detail in the EU treaty about Article 42.7 was once seen as a strength, allowing for flexible responses, but member states now feel unsure about how it would actually work.
Christodoulides said: “Let’s say France triggers Article 42.7. Which countries will be the first to respond to the French government’s request? What does the government or country that triggers Article 42.7 need?” These questions would be part of the blueprint, he said, to “have an operational plan ready to put into action” if and when Article 42.7 is triggered.
Cyprus, which is not a NATO member, wants the EU to take the clause more seriously after a drone hit Britain’s RAF Akrotiri airbase on the island in March. But some EU members are cautious about any steps that might be seen as undermining NATO’s collective defence clause, Article 5.
One EU official said there needs to be a shared understanding of how triggering the clause would play out. “NATO remains the foundation of collective defence,” the official said. “But the EU has tools that complement NATO – like sanctions, financial aid, and humanitarian help – which could come into play in an Article 42.7 situation.” Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, briefed EU leaders on ongoing work related to the clause.
In a sign of concern over Trump’s comments, the prime minister of Poland, one of the US’s strongest allies in Europe, expressed doubts about Washington’s commitment to NATO. Donald Tusk told the Financial Times that Europe’s “biggest, most important question” was whether the US would be “ready to be as loyal as it says in our [NATO] treaties.”
Meanwhile, Sánchez downplayed reports that the Pentagon was considering punishing NATO allies seen as not supportive enough of the US offensive against Iran by suspending them from the alliance. A US official told Reuters that an internal memo was circulating at the highest levels of the Pentagon.The email outlined possible retaliatory steps, such as suspending Spain from the alliance and reconsidering the US stance on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
According to the US official, the policy options were included in an email that expressed frustration over what was seen as some allies’ unwillingness or refusal to grant the US access, basing, and overflight rights—known as ABO—for its strikes on Iran.
The email described ABO as “the absolute bare minimum for NATO” and said the options included removing “difficult” countries from key or high-profile positions within the alliance.
NATO officials point out that the alliance’s founding treaty does not include any process for expelling a member.
Last year, the socialist prime minister angered Trump by rejecting NATO’s suggestion that member countries raise their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, calling the idea “not only unreasonable but also counterproductive.”
Speaking in Cyprus on Friday morning, Sánchez said: “We don’t work based on emails; we work with official documents and statements from the US government. The Spanish government’s position is clear: full cooperation with allies, but always within the framework of international law.”
However, Sánchez also repeated his criticism of the US war in Iran. “The crisis this illegal war has caused in the Middle East shows the failure of brute force—and has led to calls for international law to be respected and for the multilateral order to be protected and strengthened,” he said.
Senior EU diplomats are expected to hold tabletop exercises in May to explore different scenarios if Article 42.7 is triggered.
After France activated the mutual defense pact in 2015, some member states increased their contributions to EU and UN missions in the Sahel, Mali, the Central African Republic, and the Mediterranean, allowing French troops to be redeployed from those areas. The UK, which was still an EU member at the time, let French aircraft use the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. EU member states also committed to sharing more intelligence and boosting counter-terrorism cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the EUs mutual assistance pact plan and its connection to Trumps criticism of NATO
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What is this new mutual assistance pact the EU is talking about
A Its a proposed agreement between European Union countries It says if one EU country is attacked the others must help it Its like a safety net for EU members only
Q Isnt that the same as NATO
A Not exactly NATO is a larger group that includes the US Canada and the UK This new pact would be just for EU countries Think of it as a backup plan specifically for Europe in case the US stops helping through NATO
Q Why are EU leaders pushing for this now
A Mainly because former President Trump has been very critical of NATO He says some European countries dont pay enough for their own defense EU leaders are worried the US might not come to their aid in a crisis so they want a plan B
Q Does this mean the EU is leaving NATO
A No Most EU leaders say they still want NATO This pact is meant to strengthen Europes defense not replace the alliance Its like having a fire extinguisher and a sprinkler systemyou want both just in case one fails
Q How is this different from the EUs existing rules
A The EU already has a solidarity clause for terrorist attacks or natural disasters This new pact is specifically about military attacks It would be a stronger clearer promise to use military force to defend a fellow EU member
AdvancedLevel Questions
Q Whats the exact legal difference between this pact and NATOs Article 5
A NATOs Article 5 says an attack on one is an attack on all but each country decides how to help The EU pact would likely be similar but more specific about immediate military aid The key difference is the membership this pact excludes the US and Canada
Q Wont this cause confusion If a country is attacked does it ask NATO or the EU for help
