EU Chief Urges Significant Increase in European Defense Spending

Ursula von der Leyen, the EU chief, calls for massive increases in defense spending, as the 27-nation bloc is facing a more assertive Russia and dwindling support from the US. Von der Leyen told parliamentarians in Strasbourg that Europe could no longer "fully lean on the protection of the US" and added that the security architecture of this continent is therefore "being very much shaken."

Brussels has signaled its commitment in this direction after EU leaders signed off last week on a Commission plan to mobilize as much as €800 billion to support defense spending.

The plan allows EU members to access a maximum of €150 billion in EU-backed loans, while some relaxations of budgetary rules will allow increased defense spending. During the candidacy of Donald Trump to the presidency, the US' role as Europe's security guarantor since World War II came into question, and he urged European states to build up their defenses, stating that the US might not play a central role in NATO any longer.

 As Trump attempts rapprochement with Russia to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine, he has distanced himself from transatlantic allies such as France and Germany, causing fears that he may push Kyiv into an unfavorable settlement."

"We all wish we could live in more peaceful times. But I am confident that, if we unleash our industrial power, we can restore deterrence against those who seek to do us harm," she said.

At next week's summit in Brussels, the Commission will present a white paper outlining further options to "significantly increase funding for European defense" as part of ongoing discussions aimed at enhancing the bloc's military capabilities.