EU Approves €800 Billion Defense Plan as U.S. Scales Back Support

At an emergency summit in Brussels, European Union leaders approved the European Commission's plan to strengthen the region's defense capabilities, which includes an additional €800 billion in funding, The Moscow Times reported, citing Agence France-Presse (AFP) on March 6.

Previously, on March 4, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled ReArm, a sweeping EU defense initiative aimed at drastically increasing military spending and strengthening European security, including enhanced support for Ukraine.

Speaking at a special session of the European Council in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked all attending leaders for their support in recent days and weeks.

“The defense funds under this European Plan should strengthen all parts of Europe, and I call for a significant part to be allocated to arms production in Ukraine – our industrial capabilities are the fastest and most relevant to the current security threats,” Zelenskyy said.

The summit took place amid U.S. President Donald Trump halting military aid to Ukraine and the U.S. temporarily suspending intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined plans for increased defense spending, promising “additional investments” in the nation’s military without raising taxes, “The future of Europe should not be decided in Washington or Moscow,” Macron added.

“We must be prepared if the United States is not with us,” he said, urging European leaders to focus on deterrence and improving their readiness in the face of growing threats.