How to watch the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE)

Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Joint meeting Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Ukrainian experts: Defence innovation, Russian assets and global threat

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Ukrainian representatives present Ukraine as a laboratory for AI‑driven and robotic warfare, argue for integrating Ukraine into Europe’s security architecture and using frozen Russian assets, and detail Russia’s globally integrated military, proxy and maritime operations as part of the same war against Ukraine and Europe.

In this chapter

1. Hopko: Ukraine as laboratory of AI‑driven warfare
2. Hopko: Reframing Europe’s security frontier and using Russian assetsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. Kucherenko: Naming Russian aggression and Wagner/Africa Corps role

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Ukrainian experts: Russian aggression, global war and defence innovation

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The three Ukrainian speakers outline Ukraine as a laboratory of AI‑ and drone‑based warfare, redefine Europe’s security frontier on the Dnipro/Donbas, detail the global and covert architecture of Russian aggression (Wagner/Africa Corps, energy, migration, sabotage), and dismantle myths about drones, timelines and costs while arguing for tougher sanctions, confiscation of Russian assets, and integrating Ukraine’s defence industry and combat‑proven robotics into the EU industrial base.

In this chapter

1. Ukraine’s new warfare paradigm: AI, drones, battlefield loop
2. Redrawing Europe’s security frontier and defeating RussiaMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. Naming Russian aggression and Wagner/Africa Corps reality

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Joint meeting Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Procedural incident and transition to Ukraine-focused panel

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

After resolving an MEP’s interruption and affirming committee rules, the Chair closes the Russia session and launches a second panel on lessons from Ukraine’s defence innovation and EU defence instruments, introducing Ukrainian civil society representatives.

In this chapter

1. Procedural incident: Chair handles MEP interruptionMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Introduction to second panel: Learning from Ukraine’s defense innovationMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Russian war context and setup of Ukraine panel

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and 2 others

Initial remarks on Russian military‑societal dynamics are followed by a brief incident of order in the committee and the chair’s formal reopening of the sitting, culminating in the announcement of a focused panel on Ukraine, EU defence preparedness and new Union defence instruments with three Ukrainian experts linked to a recent mission to Kyiv.

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Joint meeting Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

MEPs–experts exchange: Sanctions, mobilisation and regime resilience

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and 3 others

Delegation chairs and MEPs test the experts on the effectiveness and escalation risks of sanctions, Russia’s recruitment strategies and demographics, and the robustness of Putin’s system, prompting detailed answers on labour‑market exhaustion, security‑service dynamics and the endurance of Russia’s war machine.

In this chapter

1. Delegation chairs: Need for sustained sanctions and supportMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. First MEP questions: Sanctions effectiveness and recruitment abroadMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. Further MEP questions: Oil prices, Iran war and escalation risksVilly Søvndal

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Joint meeting Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Expert briefings: Russia’s economy, bureaucracy and war manpower

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Experts Milov, Schulman and Van Bladel analyse Russia’s fiscal and industrial constraints, bureaucratic and elite adaptation to a protracted war, and the human cost and structure of Russian forces, highlighting mounting economic, administrative and demographic limits to sustaining aggression against Ukraine.

In this chapter

1. Milov: Russia’s fiscal crisis and ‘resilience’ myth
2. Milov: Military industry strain and demographic limitsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. Schulman: Bureaucratic adaptation and ‘euphoric’ war phase

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Joint meeting Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Opening, agenda and framing of Russia debate

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The Chair opens the joint meeting, adopts procedural items and frames the main hearing on ending Russia’s war of aggression, outlining the focus on Russia’s war economy and recruitment policies before introducing the expert panel.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and agenda adoptionMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Context of war, sanctions and expert panel introductionMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Joint meeting Delegation for relations with Canada

MEPs and Canadian senators – Q&A on defence investment, SAFE, sovereignty and EU role

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and 5 others

MEPs and Canadian senators debate Europe’s Arctic presence, Canadian rearmament to 2% of GDP, missile defence concepts and SAFE, stalled Arctic sovereignty claims, US pressure, nuclear and early‑warning dependence, and possible EU–Canada responses to scenarios such as Greenlandic independence backed by Russia or China.

In this chapter

1. Q&A 1 – MEP Gomer and Canadian Senator: Europe’s Arctic absence and Canadian rearmamentMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Q&A 2 – Spanish MEP and Canadian senators: missile shield, SAFE and Arctic sovereignty fileJosé Cepeda
3. Q&A 3 – Strategic threat perception, US pressure and nuclear dependencePierre-Romain Thionnet
4. Q&A 4 – Greenland independence scenario, EU–Canada response and next stepsAlexandr Vondra

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Committee on Security and Defence Joint meeting Delegation for relations with Canada

Expert briefing – Canadian Arctic posture, corridors and climate impacts

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Prof. Lassard details Canada’s limited Arctic military infrastructure, Inuit Rangers’ role, key corridor and port projects, the North Warning System and sovereignty disputes, as well as climate‑driven shipping trends, Inuit navigation standards demands and mapping‑related environmental risks.

In this chapter

1. Prof. Lassard: Canadian Arctic military posture and corridors
2. Prof. Lassard: North Warning System, NATO–Russia, and sovereignty disputes
3. Prof. Lassard: Climate change, shipping growth, Inuit demands, and mapping risksMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Joint meeting Delegation for relations with Canada

Opening and framing of EU–Canada Arctic security agenda

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and 1 other

Chairs STRACK-ZIMMERMANN and Moreno set the agenda, underline the upgraded EU–Canada security partnership, and frame the Arctic as a shared strategic theatre involving Russia, China, the US, environmental protection and indigenous rights.

In this chapter

1. Opening of joint SEDE–Canada delegation meetingMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Co-chair Moreno: EU–Canada security partnership and Arctic agendaMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Joint meeting

NATO responses on burden sharing, command and Ukraine aid

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The NATO official details U.S. expectations for European conventional defence, the operational basis for the 3.5% GDP benchmark, redistribution of key Joint Force Commands to European commanders while keeping SHAPE under U.S. command, confirms continued posture and unity on the eastern flank, and explains current formats for coordinating military aid to Ukraine before the Chair closes the session.

In this chapter

1. NATO official: U.S. expectations, 3.5% rationale and command redistribution
2. Eastern flank posture, unity among allies and Ukraine aid mechanismsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Joint meeting

MEPs’ questions on U.S. commitment and European pillar

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The EP NATO PA Chair and MEPs raise questions on the implications of U.S. absences and command transfers, security guarantees for the Arctic, air-defence support and coordination for Ukraine, realism of higher spending targets, U.S. presence in Europe and the impact of tensions with Hungary and Slovakia on NATO unity.

In this chapter

1. EP NATO PA Chair: questions on U.S. commitment, Ukraine and EU pillar
2. MEPs’ first round: spending target, U.S. presence and internal tensionsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Joint meeting

Opening and NATO ministerial debrief

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The Chair frames the NATO defence ministers’ meeting and U.S. role, then the NATO official reports on ministerial priorities of deterrence, defence spending, readiness, industrial base, innovation, Arctic Sentry and mechanisms to sustain and share the burden of support to Ukraine.

In this chapter

1. Chair: context on NATO ministerial and U.S. roleMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. NATO official: priorities, deterrence and defence spending
3. Industrial base, innovation and Arctic Sentry
4. Support to Ukraine and burden sharing via NATO-Ukraine CouncilMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting and NATO–EU relations

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Briefing on outcomes of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting, including spending towards 3.5% of GDP, Arctic Sentry and support for Ukraine, followed by questions on US commitment, air defence coordination and a potential European pillar in NATO, with replies on capability‑driven targets, redistribution of commands and the enduring US role.

In this chapter

1. NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting debrief: Arctic Sentry and Ukraine supportMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. NATO–EU questions: US commitment, Ukraine air defence and European pillar
3. Roujon on 3.5% spending target, redistribution of commands and US roleMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

European defence projects of common interest (EDPCIs)

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Presentation of a committee study on EDPCIs, expert analysis of the legal and financial framework and flagship projects, and a Q&A on command and control, scope of Eastern Flank Watch, budget limits and political obstacles, concluding with a call to turn defence debates into concrete action.

In this chapter

1. Introduction of study on European defence projects of common interestMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Blochmans: rationale, legal framework and financing of EDPCIsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. Fjord: assessment of Commission flagships and need for C2, cyber and combat cloudMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

End of hearing and budgetary votes

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Closure of the joint defence hearing is followed by reopening of the meeting for voting, including electronic test votes, quorum check and roll‑call on the 2027 budget opinion, and a sequence of votes on the 2028–2034 MFF opinion, amendments and compromises.

In this chapter

1. Hearing conclusions and transfer to AFCO voteMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Opening of voting session: 2027 budget guidelines opinionMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. Votes on MFF 2028–2034 opinion and amendmentsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Article 42.7 and European Defence Union

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

Debate on the operational meaning of Article 42.7, nuclear deterrence and intelligence sharing, and whether existing treaties already allow movement towards a European Defence Union and, ultimately, a European Army, with emphasis on legal basis and political will.

In this chapter

1. Article 42.7 and nuclear deterrent: need for clear interpretation
2. Towards a European Army: use of existing treaty framework
3. Defense Union and legal basis: coordinators’ wrap‑upMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Chair: conclusion of session and suspension

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The Chair closes the exchange on the EDA, notes the upcoming SEDE‑related meeting in Cyprus on 12 March alongside the Foreign Affairs/Defence Council, recalls Thursday’s invitation, and formally suspends the meeting until 14:30 for the afternoon plenary.

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

EDA replies: capabilities, cooperation, benchmarks and deterrence

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

EDA’s Denk details work on space‑based capabilities and cooperation with DG DEFIS, explains limits from unanimity and national sovereignty on C2 choices, comments on ambitious procurement benchmarks and varying levels of member‑state cooperation, acknowledges dependence on US strategic enablers, assesses gaps in mobility and infrastructure, and outlines principles for structuring the European Competitiveness Fund and border deterrence.

In this chapter

1. EDA reply: space capability, QMV limits and EDA–DEFIS ties
2. EDA reply: urgency, benchmarks and who cooperates
3. EDA reply: reliance on US, mobility, deterrence and ECF

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Q&A round 2: space, autonomy, borders and US role

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

MEPs raise strategic questions on space protection, sovereign cloud and C2, the effectiveness of EDA–DEFIS cooperation, progress on 2030 procurement benchmarks, the design of the European Competitiveness Fund, Europe’s ability to defend itself without US support, and the defence of eastern and Mediterranean borders including Cyprus and Turkey.

In this chapter

1. Q&A round 2: space, sovereign cloud, C2 and benchmarksMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Q&A: EU autonomy, US role and border defence

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Q&A round 1: EDA priorities, procurement, standards and AI

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

MEPs question EDA on its nine capability priorities, use of QMV, legal framework, cost of non‑coordination, market barriers, standardisation and R&D speed, prompting replies from Denk on cross‑domain capability gaps, Ukraine lessons, unanimity, expanded joint procurement, NATO‑aligned standards, AI work, military mobility and crisis‑mode procedures, as well as industry capacity constraints and cooperation incentives.

In this chapter

1. Q&A round 1: priorities, QMV and legal statusMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Q&A: cost of non‑coordination and defence market barriers
3. Q&A: speed of R&D, AI, mobility and crisis mode

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Resumption: EDA mandate, tools and capability projects

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

After welcoming an Italian defence studies delegation, the Chair introduces EDA Chief Executive Denk, who sets out the agency’s role, strategic context, short‑term tools like SAFE, and mid‑ to long‑term collaborative projects and enablers in response to European Council calls to strengthen EDA.

In this chapter

1. Resumption: welcome to Italian Defence Studies InstituteMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Introduction of EDA Chief Executive: mandate and expectationsMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
3. EDA statement: Ukraine, strategic context and role

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Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting

Opening: Ukraine war context and SEDE Kyiv mission

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Renew

The Chair opens the SEDE meeting on the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale war, hears Ukraine’s Veterans Minister on wartime veteran policy, and debriefs the ad hoc mission to Kyiv, stressing ongoing attacks, Ukraine’s military needs, the EU support loan and defence‑industrial lessons, and urging Member States to step up assistance.

In this chapter

1. Opening: 4th year of Russia’s full‑scale warMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
2. Ukraine Veterans Minister: war since 2014 and veteran policy
3. Chair: follow‑up on veterans and reaffirming EU supportMarie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

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