The European Union has presented a white paper outlining plans to facilitate member states’ rearmament amid growing concerns about Russian aggression. The proposal aims to mobilize up to €800 billion ($875 billion) through EU-guaranteed loans and relax fiscal rules to allow countries to spend more on defense.
The plan, unveiled by the European Commission, sets a timeline for countries to pool resources on joint defense and buy more European arms starting next month. However, critics argue that the proposals do not go far enough in boosting funding, with some EU countries seeking a comprehensive program of joint borrowing comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic response.
European leaders have emphasized the need for collective action to counter Russian threats, citing the bloc’s own history of occupation by the Soviet Union and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The EU has condemned Russia’s rearmament efforts as an incitement to war, warning that Moscow will remain a fundamental threat to European security.
The proposal includes mechanisms to enable non-EU countries such as Norway, Turkey, and Canada to participate in defense cooperation, reflecting the bloc’s desire for closer ties with its partners. The EU has called on key allies to join forces against Russian aggression, amid concerns about the ongoing rapprochement between Moscow and Washington.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/europe-launches-defense-push-amid-russia-threat-us-worries/a-71977378