By Samuel Eugene
The EU has approved a major defence spending plan to boost military capabilities with billions of euros.
Along with increasing their defence budgets, EU nations have also pledged military support to Kyiv after the US stopped providing aid to Ukraine.
The plan, called ReArm Europe, will increase the EU’s defence spending by up to €800 billion ($840 billion)—twice the total EU defence budget in 2024.
The 27 EU leaders agreed to relax budget rules so member states can increase military spending. They also urged the European Commission to explore ways “to facilitate significant defence spending at the national level across all Member States.”
The EU’s executive branch estimates this could unlock €650 billion, but it is uncertain whether governments will use the full amount.
The decision follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech, where he called Russia a threat to the EU and described the move as the first step toward European self-reliance.
“Whatever happens in Ukraine, we need to build autonomous defence capacities in Europe,” Macron said after the summit. Moscow has repeatedly denied posing a military threat to Europe. It called statements from Warsaw and Paris “highly confrontational and militaristic.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Western claims of a Russian attack as “nonsense” and accused European leaders of exaggerating the threat to justify higher military spending.
He insisted that Russia is not entering an arms race but will take necessary steps to protect its security and allies.
In a veiled warning to Macron, Putin said, “Some people are still living in the Napoleon era, while forgetting how his rule ended with crushing defeat in Russia… Wannabe Napoleons don’t understand the consequences of their rhetoric and actions.”
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