Von der Leyen presents billion-euro plan to arm Europe

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a plan to strengthen European defense spending, which she says will mobilize up to 800 billion euros. Europe's security is under a very real threat, von der Leyen said in Brussels. "This is Europe's hour, and we must rise to the occasion," she said.

"We are in an era of rearmament, and Europe is prepared to massively increase its defense spending." Just a few hours before von der Leyen's statement, the government of US President Donald Trump announced that it would temporarily halt its military aid to Ukraine - just days after the scandal during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House. The move is likely to have drastic consequences for Ukraine. Since the public dispute between Zelensky and Trump, voices have been raised that Europe urgently needs to do more for its own defense.

Von der Leyen's plan includes a new fund of 150 billion euros to increase defense investments in the EU, including for military aid to Ukraine. The funds are to be made available in particular for air and missile defense, artillery systems, drones and cybersecurity. "This is about better and joint spending," said von der Leyen. Member states could thus pool their demand, purchase together and at the same time increase support for Ukraine. In addition, the escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact is to be activated. It is to allow member states to take on new debt for defense spending without having to fear an EU deficit procedure.

Von der Leyen hopes that her proposal, together with private capital and additional funds for the European Investment Bank, could mobilize almost 800 billion euros for defense. She presented her plan shortly before a special summit on Ukraine on Thursday. There, the EU heads of state and government will discuss, among other things, how to further ramp up the European defense industry. (dpa)

Kremlin welcomes suspension of US military aid to Ukraine

Russia has reacted with joy to reports of the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine. "The details remain to be seen, but if it is true, it is a decision that can actually move the Kyiv regime towards a peace process," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. Russia has repeatedly accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj of having no interest in peace negotiations and preferring to continue the war. US President Donald Trump recently adopted the Russian argument, to the dismay of other Western states. Selenskyj, on the other hand, has repeatedly stressed that he wants to end the war. (dpa)

Czech Republic: Europeans must invest more in defense

In response to the US halting military aid to Ukraine, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala is calling for an increase in defense spending in Europe. US President Donald Trump's decision shows the need for Europe to strengthen its economic and military capacities in order to take responsibility for its security, explains Fiala. "Investments in defense must be increased. Ensuring our security also means intensifying our support for Ukraine," he writes on the online platform X. "We must not allow Russia's aggressive policy, which threatens us all, to succeed." (rtr)

Paris: Stopping US aid to Kyiv strengthens Moscow and reduces chance of peace

France has criticized the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine. Stopping arms deliveries to Ukraine would strengthen the "aggressor" Russia and reduce the prospect of a peace agreement, said French Deputy Minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad on Tuesday on the television channel France 2. "There is an aggressor in this war, namely Russia, and Ukraine has defended itself courageously over the past three years." In order to achieve a "lasting peace with strong security guarantees," it is necessary to "put pressure on Russia and not on Ukraine, as has been the case for several weeks," said Haddad. In view of the US government's change of course, Europe must now take on more responsibility. The EU crisis summit on Ukraine on Thursday will be "historic and decisive," said Haddad. (afp)