The European Union is implementing a stockpiling strategy to build emergency reserves of critical minerals and essential supplies in response to escalating geopolitical risks and potential supply disruptions. According to a draft document from the European Commission reported by the Financial Times, the EU plans to stockpile rare earth elements, permanent magnets, cable repair kits, backup food, medicines, nuclear fuel, and other critical medical equipment and vaccines. This initiative aims to enhance the bloc's resilience against conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics, and other crises. The strategy is part of the EU's broader Preparedness Union agenda, which seeks to improve coordination among member states during emergencies. The move follows concerns over vulnerabilities to attacks, including repeated sabotage incidents attributed to Russian-led operations. While the stockpiling strategy is a key step, it currently lacks an allocated budget. The EU is also addressing challenges related to securing lithium supplies, notably from Serbia's Jadar mine, where local opposition complicates efforts to achieve strategic autonomy in raw materials essential for technologies such as electric vehicles. The European Commission is urging all 27 member states to coordinate in creating these strategic reserves to mitigate risks stemming from geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.