EU Outlines Plans to Stockpile Critical Minerals —FT

The European Union is developing plans to stockpile critical minerals and infrastructure repair equipment as officials warn of heightened security risks and climate-related disruptions, according to a draft document seen by the Financial Times.

The initiative aims to bolster the 27-nation bloc’s ability to withstand what the European Commission describes as an “increasingly complex and deteriorating risk landscape marked by rising geopolitical tensions, including conflict.”

Under the plan, EU nations would work together to maintain emergency reserves of vital resources — including medical supplies, food, nuclear fuel, and specialized equipment for repairing damaged underwater communication infrastructure.

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“The strategy is part of a wider push by the EU to improve the security and resilience of the 27-country bloc. Last month, General Carsten Breuer, the German chief of defence, warned that Russia could attack an EU member state within the next four years,” the Financial Times said in its report.

Suspected sabotage incidents targeting underwater cables and gas pipelines in recent years have amplified worries about critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, the document noted.

Climate change adds urgency to the preparedness efforts. The EU is experiencing warming at double the pace seen globally, with recent wildfires in Crete forcing 5,000 people to evacuate.

The European Commission’s draft strategy proposes creating what it calls a “stockpiling network” to enhance coordination among EU countries and developing tailored lists of essential supplies that would be regularly updated based on different regions and potential crisis scenarios.

Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, who authored a security report commissioned by the EU in October, recommended adopting a “public good” preparedness mindset.

The bloc currently maintains emergency response capabilities including firefighting aircraft, medical evacuation planes, and field hospitals across 22 EU countries. The new stockpiling framework would expand these existing efforts.

The commission also plans to explore partnerships with allies on “shared warehousing” and coordinate better management of resources and dual-use infrastructure with NATO, according to the Financial Times.

The outlet also noted that the draft document is scheduled for publication this week and could still undergo changes before its final presentation.

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