MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Asked if Italy might vote for the initiative to create the common army of the bloc, Salvini told reporters:
"The common currency doesn't work, this Union can't even protect its borders, what there is to say about the common army. We will never vote for this choice."
The plan to create the bloc’s army, which goes back to 1950, was revived in March 2015 by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who said the bloc needed its own unified army to respond to threats posed to EU member states. Major proponents of such EU-wide army are Germany, France and Italy.
The discussions on Europe's defense and potential creation of the common armed forces have become more active following the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election. During the presidential race, the politician had repeatedly stated that the United States should decrease the support of other NATO member states and protect only those members of the alliance, who "fulfill their obligations" in respect to Washington.
