(MENAFN) Europe must rapidly strengthen its military readiness, according to Gen. Sean Clancy, the chair of the EU Military Committee, who cautioned that Russia’s campaign in Ukraine has pushed the continent into a precarious “grey zone” that sits uneasily between conflict and calm.

Clancy — an Irish air corps commander who assumed the EU’s senior military role in June — stressed that the continent no longer possesses “the luxury” of presuming stability along its eastern frontier.

In an interview with a media outlet, he remarked, “The world is on fire in many places, and Ukraine represents the front line for Europe at this point in time,” underscoring how global volatility is reshaping Europe’s security calculations.

He noted that the surge in defense budgets across EU nations should not be interpreted as an attempt to militarize daily life or to forge a unified EU army, but rather as a long-delayed acknowledgment of the magnitude of current dangers.

“No member state is immune to it. I’m talking about hybrid threats here. I’m talking about terrorism. I’m talking about many areas such as cyber, space,” he added, pointing to the breadth of emerging risks.

Clancy warned that physical distance can no longer be relied upon as a shield against “borderless” hybrid assaults, citing the uptick in drone intrusions at airports throughout Europe as evidence of this evolving menace.

Meeting these challenges, he argued, demands not only more capable armed forces but also a wider societal dedication to strengthening resilience and preparedness.

“Preparedness isn’t about preparing for war. It’s about readiness and resilience,” he said, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach.

While pushing back against claims that Europe had been complacent in the past, he concluded: “I kind of reject that a little bit, if I can be straight up with you. You know, asking Europe to do more now ... this is not something new. We have to be careful with language.”

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