The head of the European Commission has submitted a plan for the re -equipment of Europe to support Ukraine and strengthen the security of the EU

The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Lyain presented a plan for the re -equipment of the European Union, which includes the creation of a fund for 150 billion euros in the form of loans for the European Union for defense investments. During the speech in Brussels, she emphasized the need to significantly increase defense expenses to support Ukraine and strengthen European security. The plan will be discussed at the EU emergency summit on March 6.

“We live in an era of rearmament. And Europe is ready to significantly increase its defense costs - in order to respond to an urgent need to act and support Ukraine, as well as ... take on much more responsibility for our own European security, ” said Ursula von der der Layen to journalists.

The new Rearm Europe defense plan includes five directions. One of them is the creation of a fund from which the European Union countries will be able to take loans for investment in defense. The budget of the fund, according to the head of the European Commission, will amount to 150 billion euros. In general, various financial levers of the new program, according to the European Commission, will be able to mobilize about 800 billion euros to ensure European safety.

The plan involves the mitigation of debt rules and norms of the EU budget discipline in order to allow the community to take more money for military needs.

The document was sent to the leaders of the 27 countries of the European Union, its text was not published.

A few hours before the speech of von der Layen, US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of military assistance to Ukraine. Trump’s decision will affect all American aid, which is not yet in Ukraine, including the one that is now transported. According to CNN, this decision was a response to the skirmish of Trump and Zelensky at a meeting last Friday.