The European Parliament today approved a non-binding resolution on the White Paper on Defense that the European Commission will present on March 19, which will include the European rearmament plan.
The plan was outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a plenary debate on Tuesday, and was voted on today with 419 votes in favor, 204 against, and 46 abstentions.
Members of the European Parliament from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, Fratelli d’Italia, had proposed an amendment to change the name of the plan from “Rearmament of Europe” to “Defend Europe,” but it did not pass.
For the European Parliament, this is a “historic moment for European defense.” Members of the European Parliament welcome the EU’s rearmament plan and strongly support the idea that member states should increase defense and security funding to new levels, at least 3% of GDP.
The European Parliament also reiterates its support for Ukraine and “calls on EU member states, international partners, and NATO allies to remove all restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets in Russian territory.”
The European Parliament notes “a shift in U.S. foreign policy, as the Trump administration proposed normalizing relations with Russia, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Europe must strengthen its security and defense to be able to help Ukraine defend itself.”
For the European Parliament, Russia, supported by its allies Belarus, China, North Korea, and Iran, represents “the most significant direct and indirect threat to the EU and its security.”
For Members of the European Parliament, “the European Union is now at a turning point in its history and development.” According to the European Parliament, “The EU must now adopt a holistic and horizontal approach that integrates a defense and security dimension into most of its policies,” and this approach should “be supported by regulatory and financial instruments.”
Furthermore, the European Parliament emphasizes “the need to strengthen capabilities and resources, overcoming the fragmentation of the defense market.
