Officials have been criticised for placing too many obstacles in the way of crucial preparation.

14:34, Thu, Jun 5, 2025 | UPDATED: 14:36, Thu, Jun 5, 2025

Finnish soldiers and a tank

European defence ministers have voiced concerns (Image: Getty)

EU rules have been blamed for hindering measures in preparation for a potential Russian invasion. Green regulations have stopped the expansion of military bases, as well as prevented fighter jet pilots from training, defence ministers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Czechia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Finland, Estonia and Denmark have argued. “EU legislation may not prevent member states’ armed forces from carrying out necessary activities to become operationally ready. But right now, it does,” they wrote in a letter to Andrius Kubilius, the EU's defence commissioner.

It added: “Mainly (but not exclusively) in the areas of procurement legislation, nature conservation and environmental protection, and more generally the administrative burden on defence organisations deriving from various EU legal acts.”

Putin sits at desk with a pen

Russia is likely preparing for 'future aggression against NATO', experts suggest (Image: Getty)

Sources also told The Telegraph that directives on habitats, the protection of wild birds and waste are proving to be an obstacle.

An EU “Greening the Armies” report highlighted in 2023 ways that militaries affect climate change and suggested that armed forces on the continent consider conducting more virtual training exercises rather than running them in real life to cut emissions.

In May, it was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) that Russian Presidential Aide and former Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev had "used narratives similar to those that the Kremlin has used to justify its invasions of Ukraine to threaten Finland".

Experts have also emphasised that Russia reportedly continues to expand its military infrastructure along its border with Finland and Estonia, "likely in preparation for future aggression against NATO".

Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Recent satellite imagery, which NATO officials have confirmed, shows that Russia is building bases and military infrastructure near the Finnish and Estonian borders, The New York Times (NYT) reported on May 19.

The ISW added: "The NYT reported that Russian forces are building and renovating tents, vehicle storage warehouses, fighter jet shelters, and helicopter bases at Olenya and Alakurtti air bases in Murmansk Oblast, Kamenka Air Base in Komi Republic, and Petrozavodsk Air Base in the Republic of Karelia."

A senior NATO official reportedly said that Russia will likely redeploy troops further north when its war in Ukraine ends, and Putin thinks that its access to the Arctic is "key for its great power status".