MEP Marc Botenga (The Left) has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, drawing a parallel between Belarus's role in Russia's war on Ukraine and the role of EU member states in the US military operations against Iran. Botenga argues that several EU countries have made their territory, airports, and airspace available to US forces for what he calls an 'illegal war on Iran' that began on 28 February 2026. He cites NATO Secretary-General statements that Italy allowed 500 US aircraft to take off from its soil, Romania authorised tanker aircraft from civilian airports, and Germany's Ramstein Air Base is used to direct operations.
The MEP asks the Commission whether it considers such actions as complicity in aggression, and if so, what measures it will take to ensure EU member states respect international law. He contrasts the EU's condemnation and sanctions against Belarus for granting Russia access to its territory, questioning why the same standard does not apply to EU countries supporting US operations. The question, dated 29 June 2026, seeks clarification on the Commission's legal interpretation and potential policy action.
Botenga's question reflects a cleavage between EU foreign policy consistency and member state sovereignty over military cooperation with non-EU allies. If the Commission were to apply the same logic as with Belarus, it could pressure member states to restrict US access, impacting NATO solidarity and US-EU defence relations. Conversely, a refusal to equate the two situations would risk accusations of double standards, potentially undermining the EU's credibility in condemning Russia's war. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks, and its answer will signal whether it views the US strikes as aggression or legitimate self-defence, and whether it prioritises legal consistency or alliance cohesion.