07.03.2025 09:20
Following French President Emmanuel Macron's declaration of Russia as a threat to Europe and France, historic decisions were made at the extraordinary EU Leaders' Summit in Brussels. After the summit, where the leaders of the 27 member countries supported a new defense plan worth 800 billion euros, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, "Today, history is being made."
After Macron's warning to Russia, the leaders of the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) came together at an emergency summit to create a new defense plan, marking one of the most critical moments for the union's security since World War II.
5-STEP PLAN
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced a five-step plan to rearm the European Union and increase support for Ukraine.
The first step of the plan involves releasing public funds to finance national defense initiatives of member countries. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that they would propose a mechanism to exceed the Stability and Growth Pact, allowing countries to increase defense spending without triggering the specified budget deficit ceiling. According to the plan, the regulation could provide up to 650 billion Euros in resources within 4 years.
The second step includes the introduction of a new financial instrument that will provide member countries with 150 billion Euros in credit to invest in air defense systems, artillery systems, missiles, various munitions, drones, and anti-drone technologies. Von der Leyen expressed that with this equipment, member countries could significantly increase their support for Ukraine and ensure the rapid procurement of military equipment.
The last two steps of the plan focus on mobilizing private capital through an expanded investment market and activating the European Investment Bank to increase defense-related financing. In this context, it was stated that Europe's rearmament plan could mobilize approximately 800 billion Euros in resources for defense spending.
"WE CONDUCTED A STRATEGIC BRAINSTORMING"
EU Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a joint press conference following the extraordinary EU Leaders' Summit in Brussels.
During the meeting, EU Council President Antonio Costa stated, "Today is a decisive moment for the security of Europe and Europeans. A few months ago, we conducted a strategic brainstorming to guide our joint actions on defense, and today we are achieving results. We are moving forward with determination towards a strong and more sovereign European Defense."
Emphasizing that the decisions made today were shaped by a sense of urgency, Costa said, "In this fundamental direction, we have made concrete decisions to provide new resources, new tools, and new instruments to strengthen our defense capacity. This means investing in our economy and protecting our citizens."
"WE DECIDED TO INVEST IN PRIORITY AREAS"
Costa stated, "First and foremost, we decided to invest in areas identified as priorities by the European Defense Agency. These areas reflect the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and are fully aligned with NATO. They include air and missile defense, artillery systems, missiles and munitions, drones and anti-drone systems, artificial intelligence, cyber, and electronic warfare."
He emphasized that they decided to mobilize additional public and private funds for defense, stating, "We will create a new European financial instrument that could reach up to 150 billion Euros to support member states in urgently increasing their defense capacity. Additionally, we emphasized today that we need flexibility under the Stability and Growth Pact. Because member states will invest more in defense, and our common fiscal rules need to allow for this."
Costa added, "Thirdly, we decided to invest more efficiently and collaboratively. We are participating in a common procurement process through standardization and simplification. Our decisions today send a clear message; we are delivering on our promises and allocating financial resources for our commitments."
"WE COMMITTED TO INCREASE OUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE"
Emphasizing that strengthening European defense will also contribute to Ukraine, Costa stated, "We committed to further increasing our support for Ukraine. Member states will be able to immediately increase their support thanks to the increased financial space. Today, several member states announced that they have committed up to a total of 15 billion Euros."
He also mentioned that they want the Council to work on additional initiatives to meet Ukraine's urgent military and defense needs, stating, "This is a historic moment for Europe. Today, the European Union is overcoming challenges. We are building European Defense and standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. At the end of the day, what we all want, deserve, and work for is peace and security."
VON DER LEYEN: HISTORY IS BEING MADE TODAY
EU Commission President Von der Leyen stated, "I believe history is being made today. We are leaving today's EU Leaders' Summit with an extremely determined approach to ensuring Europe's security and taking action at the scale, speed, and determination required by the situation. We are committed to investing more, better, and faster."
Expressing that Europe is facing an open and present threat, Von der Leyen stated that she presented the "ReArm Europe" plan to European leaders today, saying, "This plan aims to provide the military capacity that Europe needs to face today's threats and can mobilize resources of up to 800 billion Euros. This plan is about taking more responsibility for our own security because there is a sense of urgency. Therefore, we agreed that with the support of the leaders, the Commission will present detailed legislative proposals before the next European Council meeting, that is, before the regular EU Leaders' Summit in March."
"AN UNPRECEDENTED STEP IN DEFENSE"
In this context, Von der Leyen highlighted five different elements, stating, "Firstly, we will propose the controlled, coordinated, and time-limited activation of the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact. This will provide member states with the financial flexibility they need and will open up space for them to invest quickly and significantly in defense.
"This is an unprecedented step in the field of defense. This mechanism can provide up to 650 billion Euros in resources for defense spending when fully utilized," she said.
150 BILLION EURO LOAN TO MEMBER STATES
Von der Leyen stated, "The second point is that we will offer a new financial instrument. We will provide a loan of 150 billion Euros to member states to accelerate joint procurement. This is an exceptional measure, but we are in an extraordinary time, which requires extraordinary steps."
Emphasizing that deliveries must be swift and that the loans should finance purchases from European manufacturers, Von der Leyen expressed that this practice would reduce costs and enable production to be increased collectively and rapidly.
COHESION FUNDS CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO DEFENSE
Expressing that the third element is based on voluntariness, Von der Leyen said, "This is the opportunity to direct the current EU budget towards defense, focusing on cohesion funds. This is an option based on voluntariness, and if you wish, you can transfer cohesion funds to the defense sector."
Von der Leyen also mentioned that they had discussions on how to attract private investment and private capital, stating, "It is very important for us to advance the European Savings and Investment Union in this regard. This is critical for private investments. At the same time, the European Investment Bank needs to change and update its lending methods. It is essential that innovative initiatives and medium-sized enterprises operating in the defense sector have full access to financing."
Finally, Von der Leyen announced that a white paper on the future of Europe's defense would be presented soon, before the EU Leaders' Summit on March 19.
Von der Leyen also announced that they had a significant meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky within the framework of the summit, stating, "Our support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces has never been more urgent. Therefore, we will work very closely with Ukraine and the defense industry to ensure that Ukraine's military needs are met."
MESSAGE TO TRUMP: "CANNOT BE WITHOUT THE EU"
In response to a question about the US-led negotiations regarding Ukraine at the press conference, Von der Leyen said, "We all want a fair and lasting peace, but peace must be achieved from a position of strength. This is also in President Trump's interest. Because if he wants to achieve a strong peace, he can only do so with the support of the European Union and member states. There are preconditions that need to be met for this. For example, we were the ones who ensured that Ukraine could remain economically viable in 2025. Now, we are also the ones making significant investments in Ukraine's defense and providing the military capabilities that Ukraine needs. We were also the ones who ensured that the energy system remained active throughout the winter."
HUNGARY VETOED THE STATEMENT ON UKRAINE
In response to a question about Hungary's veto of the statement regarding Ukraine released after the EU Leaders' Summit, EU Council President Costa said, "We reached a unanimous agreement on defense. Regarding Ukraine, we have the strong support of 26 out of 27 member states. As you know, Hungary has a different strategic approach to Ukraine. However, this means that Hungary is isolated among the 27. We respect Hungary's position, but ultimately, it is just one out of 27."
In response to a question from Costa and Von der Leyen about whether the EU could provide security guarantees to Ukraine in a scenario without the US, they answered that the best security guarantee is the Ukrainian army.
WHAT DID MACRON SAY?
In a national address last night, French President Macron stated that Russia has become a threat to France and Europe. Macron announced that next week he would bring together the chiefs of staff of countries ready to contribute to peace in Ukraine in the capital, Paris. Emphasizing that France's nuclear deterrent capacity is one of the fundamental elements of Europe's security, Macron said, "Since 1964, France's nuclear power has been a factor in maintaining peace and security in Europe." Macron expressed that he would open discussions on France's nuclear deterrence policy regarding the protection of European allies, but emphasized that the final decision regarding the use of nuclear weapons would rest with the French Presidency.