A summit of EU leaders in Brussels has approved plans that could provide as much as €800 billion to beef up the the bloc’s defense.
Amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, described the geopolitical situation as the “most momentous and dangerous” of times.
“Europe is ready to assume its responsibilities,” von der Leyen said in a statement.
“ReArm Europe could mobilize close to €800 billion for a safe and resilient Europe. We will continue working closely with our partners in NATO. This is a moment for Europe. And we are ready to step up.”
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the ReArm Europe plan was the right initiative.
Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, said earlier in day that Europe faced a new arms race, adding that the continent “will arm itself more wisely and faster than Russia.”
A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry said Europe was being confrontational and was driven by Russophobia while the U.S. position had changed to one of realism.
“The EU’s confrontational course towards Russia remains unchanged,” Maria Zakharova was quoted by Reuters as saying. “Russophobia is still the main reason of their existence, as we see, the main driving force of the [...] self-appointed EU elites.
“We see, on the one hand, a changing rhetoric towards realism on the part of Washington,” she continued. “And the main thing is that... many people around the world have been encouraged by Washington’s desire to voice messages for peace, political and diplomatic ways of resolving the conflict.”
“Europe is ready to assume its responsibilities,” von der Leyen said in a statement.
“ReArm Europe could mobilize close to €800 billion for a safe and resilient Europe. We will continue working closely with our partners in NATO. This is a moment for Europe. And we are ready to step up.”
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the ReArm Europe plan was the right initiative.
Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, said earlier in day that Europe faced a new arms race, adding that the continent “will arm itself more wisely and faster than Russia.”
The EU summit conclusions approved on Thursday included a call to accelerate work on providing further support for Ukraine as well as on an initiative by the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, to finance further military support for Kyiv by the end of the year.The war, the geopolitical uncertainty and the new arms race started by Putin have left Europe with no choice. Europe must be ready for this race, and Russia will lose it like the Soviet Union 40 years ago. From today, Europe will arm itself more wisely and faster than Russia.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) March 6, 2025
A spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry said Europe was being confrontational and was driven by Russophobia while the U.S. position had changed to one of realism.
“The EU’s confrontational course towards Russia remains unchanged,” Maria Zakharova was quoted by Reuters as saying. “Russophobia is still the main reason of their existence, as we see, the main driving force of the [...] self-appointed EU elites.
“We see, on the one hand, a changing rhetoric towards realism on the part of Washington,” she continued. “And the main thing is that... many people around the world have been encouraged by Washington’s desire to voice messages for peace, political and diplomatic ways of resolving the conflict.”
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