France, April 7 -- European Union finance ministers are preparing to explore an ambitious new initiative that could mark a turning point in the bloc's approach to collective security.

At the heart of this week's discussion is the proposed European Defence Mechanism (EDM) - a joint fund designed to reshape how Europe procures, funds, and manages its military capabilities, while reducing its long-standing dependence on the United States.

The proposal, which will be discussed at an informal gathering of EU finance ministers in Warsaw this week, lays out a framework for a shared defence fund that would purchase and own military equipment, offering member states access for a usage fee.

Crucially, the EDM would operate outside national budge...