Talk of creating a European army seems about as old as Europe itself; French President Charles de Gaulle first proposed the idea shortly after the end of World War II. This week, however, Brussels took the first step in making that dream a reality as it convinced 23 members of the 28-strong entity to join the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) defense initiative.

Although details regarding PESCO’s primary duties remain unclear, early reports say the fighting force will coordinate “defense planning, operations and weapons development,” with the potential for “rapid deployment” to crisis zones, Reuters reported.

Just a stone’s throw from NATO headquarters in Brussels, European foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called the deal a “historic moment in European defense.” German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel also gloated over the initiative, saying it represented a “great step toward self-sufficiency and strengthening the European Union's security and defense policy - really a milestone in European development.” 

But not everyone was ready to break out the champagne. The UK, which is now going through the painful formalities of leaving the EU, maintains its opposition to an independent European army. The UK apparently fails to make the connection that EU leaders are reigniting plans for a European army largely because the UK is quitting the EU.