European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented today a plan for the rearmament of the EU, which could reach 800 billion euros over the next five years. Europe is ready to take responsibility for its own defense, she said in a brief statement, after which she did not answer journalistic questions.
Von der Leyen specified that she had sent the letter with her proposals to the heads of state and government of the EU countries on the eve of an extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday.
According to the proposal, EU countries would be exempted from budgetary spending requirements when investing in defense. It is envisaged that countries would be free to redirect funds from the EU's cohesion funds so that they can be used for defense purposes. Von der Leyen is proposing 150 billion euros to be provided through loans for the supply of ammunition, air defense systems, missiles and drones.
The EU is ready to significantly increase defense spending, including in support of Ukraine and because of the long-term need to take responsibility for its own security, the EC President said. We live in dangerous times, I do not need to describe what threats we face and what the consequences would be if the threats were to come true, she added.