European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented today a rearmament plan for 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, BTA reported.
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 the 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 will be free to redirect funds from EU cohesion funds to be used for defence purposes. Von der Leyen proposes that 150 billion euros be provided through loans for the supply of ammunition, air defence systems, missiles and drones.
The EU is ready to significantly increase defence 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 are living 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.