EU Urges Citizens to Prepare Emergency Supplies

A new report by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urges EU citizens to stockpile essential goods in preparation for potential crises, including war. The report emphasizes a shift from reactive to proactive preparedness, highlighting the EU's lack of readiness for past emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It recommends that households prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, stockpiling food, water, medications, flashlights, and radios. The document also calls for member states to provide guidance on emergency preparations and increases in defense spending to bolster collective security. Additionally, the report notes that any armed aggression against an EU member would affect all 27 countries in the bloc, underscoring the need for enhanced crisis response strategies. Niinistö advocates for empowering citizens as a core element of the EU's preparedness strategy, pushing for a significant budget increase for security measures.