Europe under pressure: from the Leyens 800 billion euros for defense!

Europe under pressure: from the Leyens 800 billion euros for defense!

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the acute threatened security of Europe and presented a comprehensive plan to increase defense spending. "This hour belongs to Europe and we have to do justice to her," she said during a meeting in Brussels. This is done just a few hours after the US government's announcement to hire military aid to Ukraine-a decision that could have potentially serious consequences for the country. In response to the tense location and the controversy between the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj and Donald Trump, the pressure on Europe has increased to do significantly more for your own defense, such as Kleinezeitung.at reported.

The proposal of Von der Leyen includes the establishment of a new fund of 150 billion euros in order to reinforce defense investments in the EU. This fund is to be used in particular for air and rocket defense systems, artillery, drones and cyber security. "This is about better and common expenses," emphasized the Leyen, and she hopes that up to 800 billion euros can be mobilized with private capital and other funds from the European investment bank. The plan will be discussed on Thursday at a special summit of the EU heads and government heads, which should also be about strategic strengthening the European armaments industry, informed dailyspiegel.de .

common defense strategy

A central component of the plan is to activate the alternative clause of the stability and growth pact, which should enable the EU member states, to take up new debts for defense spending without fear of deficit proceedings. These measures could enable states to increase their defense spending on average by 1.5 percent of GDP, which could create financial scope for almost 650 billion euros for over four years. According to kleinezeitung.at this could also be the way for a significant support from Ukraine by the EU free.