>>51607
EU doesn't really need battle ready army. She needs to keep her nukes (well, France's nukes), but beyond that just some army. With a deal which builds interdependence with Russia (or better yet, having Russia in EU, and Russia comes with more nukes, and more military), there is noone who would attack the EU.
Beyond these borders the countries are either too weak and disorganized, or involved in heavy trade with the EU.
This is the thing:
Realism says war is inevitable, so have to raise security.
Liberalism says trade (economical ties), international organizations, and democracies prevent war. So raising security (creating a battle ready army), isn't that important.
If they could follow liberalism consistently (building trade, and involve her with the EU international organization) they could tame Russia, and turn her into a democracy.

Norway and Switzerland have way more ties to the EU (for example they are within Schengen), which means more pressure to conform.