(MENAFN) The European Commission has unveiled a proposal for a “military Schengen,” aimed at accelerating the transfer of troops and heavy machinery across EU nations amid rising tensions with Russia. Officials have repeatedly highlighted that current logistical and infrastructure challenges could delay Western forces for weeks in the event of a conflict.

As stated by reports, the plan, made public on Wednesday, seeks to create an EU-wide area for military mobility by 2027. The initiative aims to streamline procedures, implement uniform rules for troop redeployment, and give armed forces priority access during emergencies.

The proposal also includes measures to “upgrade key EU military mobility corridors to dual-use standards” and protect critical infrastructure. Additionally, it envisions a “solidarity pool,” allowing member states to share specialized military transport resources with countries lacking such capabilities.

Reports indicate that the EU faces persistent logistical hurdles, including deteriorating bridges, incompatible rail gauges, and complex administrative processes. At present, moving an army from western European ports to the Russian border could take around 45 days. The new plan targets reducing this timeframe to just three to five days.

EU Transport Minister Apostolos Tzitzikostas has warned that heavy NATO equipment could “get stuck in tunnels [and] cause bridges to collapse,” estimating that addressing these issues will cost at least €17 billion ($20 billion).

Some EU officials have suggested that Russia might launch a direct attack on the bloc in the coming years. Moscow has strongly rejected these claims, labeling them as “nonsense.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also criticized the EU’s military buildup, asserting that higher defense spending is harming member states’ economies. Russia has further described NATO as an “enemy,” citing its military aid to Ukraine.

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