Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized on Thursday in Brussels that the European Union should prioritize advancing its technological capabilities for defense rather than simply stockpiling more weapons.

Addressing the EU’s recently released white paper—authored by top diplomat Kaja Kallas—which advocates for collective military procurement, Sánchez voiced concerns over the term “rearming.”

“We need to rethink our language and communicate differently with our citizens when discussing the need to enhance European security and defense,” he stated.

He acknowledged the evolving security landscape, saying, “The EU has historically been a soft power project, but today, we also bear hard power responsibilities. We are fully committed not only to increasing defense spending but also to ensuring a broader security approach.”

Sánchez highlighted the varying security concerns across Europe, noting that while eastern flank allies focus on direct military threats, southern European nations must prioritize border security, counterterrorism, and cyber defense.

“These factors must be considered when shaping the financial tools and fiscal frameworks we will implement in the coming years,” he added.

As a socialist leader, Sánchez faces a delicate balancing act—aligning with European defense initiatives while managing domestic resistance from left-wing coalition partners who are wary of diverting funds from social programs.

Spain recorded NATO’s lowest defense spending in 2024, allocating less than 1.3% of its GDP to military expenditures.