Europe Von der Leyen: 800 billion euro plan for rearmament
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a plan to strengthen European defence spending, which she says will mobilize up to 800 billion euros. Europe's security is under threat in a very real way, said von der Leyen in Brussels. "This is Europe's hour, and we must rise to it," she said. "We are in an era of rearmament, and Europe is ready to massively increase its defense spending."
04.03.2025, 10:45
SDA
Just a few hours before von der Leyen's statement, US President Donald Trump's administration had announced that it was suspending its military aid to Ukraine for the time being - just a few days after the scandal during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House. The move is likely to have drastic consequences for Ukraine. Since the public dispute between Zelenskyi and Trump, voices have also been raised that Europe urgently needs to do more for its own defense.
New debt for more security
Von der Leyen's plan includes a new fund of 150 billion euros to increase defense investments in the EU, including military aid for Ukraine. The funds are to be made available in particular for air and missile defense, artillery systems, drones and cyber security.
"This is about better and joint spending," said von der Leyen. This would allow the member states to pool their demand, make joint purchases and increase support for Ukraine at the same time.
In addition, the escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact is to be activated. It should allow member states to incur new debt for defense spending without having to fear an EU deficit procedure.
Von der Leyen hopes that her proposal, together with private capital and additional funds for the European Investment Bank, could mobilize almost 800 billion euros for defence. She presented her plan shortly before a special summit on Ukraine on Thursday. There, the EU heads of state and government want to discuss, among other things, how to further ramp up the European defense industry.
