Vitaly Saenko22:54, 06.03.25
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed rearming Europe and mobilizing up to 800 billion euros for European security.
The heads of state and government of the European Union member states have supported a significant increase in defence spending and the strengthening of Europe’s technological and industrial base, according to the conclusions of an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels.
In particular, EU leaders note that Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine and its consequences for European and global security in a changing environment pose an existential threat to the European Union.
In this context, the EU will accelerate the mobilisation of the necessary instruments and funding to strengthen EU security and protect European citizens.
“The EU will thus strengthen its overall defence preparedness, reduce its strategic dependence, address critical gaps and strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base across the EU in order to be better able to deliver equipment in the quantities needed and at a faster pace,” the conclusions say.
Therefore, EU leaders stress the need for a further significant increase in spending on European security and defence.
The conclusions call on the European Commission to explore further measures, taking into account the Council’s vision, to promote significant defence spending at national level in all EU Member States.
In addition, EU leaders call on the Commission to offer additional sources of funding at EU level, including through additional opportunities and incentives offered to all Member States.
The European Council also takes note of the intention of the Commission to propose a new EU instrument to provide EU Member States with loans secured by the EU budget of up to €150 billion and invites the Commission to examine this proposal as a matter of urgency.
At the same time, the importance of mobilising private funding for the defence industry is noted and the European Commission is invited to consider appropriate measures.
Taking into account the experience of the war in Ukraine, a list of priority areas for action at the EU level is being determined. This includes air and missile defense, artillery systems, including those capable of long-range precision strikes, missiles and ammunition, drones and counter-drone systems, as well as other means and tools.
The European Council intends to return to these issues in March and June.
Increase in defense spending in the EU
As UNIAN reported, this week European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the “Rearming Europe” plan, which is an initiative aimed at mobilizing up to 800 billion euros for European security.
This initiative is aimed, among other things, at supporting Ukraine.
The plan would allow EU countries to significantly increase defence spending in line with budget rules, access €150 billion in loans for joint defence projects, increase support for Ukraine, attract EU funds for defence investment and attract private capital to strengthen the defence industrial complex.
(C)UNIAN 2025