 "EU leaders back new plan to increase defence expenditure amid change in US foreign policy")
European Union leaders at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday agreed on a new defence plan for Europe.
Under the new plan, the leaders sought to allocate billions of euros for the continent’s security after US President Donald Trump indicated that Europe would need to handle its own defence in the future.
The future of the continent’s defences and sustaining support for Ukraine after a shift in US foreign policy were two key aspects of the summit.
EU nations to ease budget restrictions
The 27 EU leaders agreed to ease budget restrictions so that EU countries could spend more on their military.
According to the official statement, the leaders also emphasised that the European Commission would seek new ways “to facilitate significant defence spending at the national level in all Member States."
The EU’s executive branch estimates that this move could free up about 650 billion euros ($702 billion) for defence spending.
Leaders also highlighted a commission proposal for a 150 billion euro ($162 billion) loan package to buy new military equipment and urged EU staff to review it quickly.
In recent weeks, Trump has overturned old certainties about the reliability of the US as a security partner, embracing Russia, withdrawing American support for Ukraine, and disrupting the cornerstones of cooperation with Europe that have underpinned Western security since World War II.
‘New attitudes in Washington pose entirely new challenges’: Polish PM
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that three years of war in Ukraine and new attitudes in Washington “pose entirely new challenges for us, and Europe must take up this challenge … and it must win.”
“We will arm ourselves faster, smarter, and more efficiently than Russia,” Tusk said. Poland currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive programme, suggested the plan to loosen budget rules.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsZelenskyy welcomes the plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the plan, expressing hope that some of the funds would support Ukraine’s defence industry.
“We are very thankful that we are not alone, and these are not just words. We feel it. It’s very important,” Zelenskyy said.
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