In a pivotal crisis summit held in Brussels, EU leaders have agreed to significantly raise defense spending across the Union, aiming to bolster Europe’s military capabilities amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
The 27 EU member states, excluding Hungary, have voiced their commitment to enhancing Europe’s defense readiness and reducing strategic dependencies. A joint statement emphasized the need to address critical capacity gaps and strengthen the European defense technology and industrial base. The EU will aim to mobilize up to 800 billion euros to safeguard against potential aggression, particularly from Russia.
In another significant move, the leaders unanimously pledged continued support for Ukraine’s pursuit of a fair and lasting peace, though Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, did not join in this declaration. Orban has previously voiced concerns about prolonging the war and has emphasized the need for peace negotiations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the momentous shift in Europe’s security policy, stressing that the EU must be capable of defending itself and standing firm in support of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also thanked European leaders for their unwavering support throughout the conflict.
