The Netherlands and seven other EU countries have urged the European Union to enhance its civilian preparedness for disasters, driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and recent incidents like Spain’s power blackout. The European Commission has recommended citizens stockpile food and improve emergency shelters, amid warnings of potential Russian attacks within five years and ongoing climate threats. Dutch justice minister David van Weel emphasized the need for coordinated responses and shared threat assessments to effectively address crises, despite some countries fearing public panic from preparedness measures.
