Exciting News on European Defense Agreement and Future Financing Plans
By: Vatican News
Published Date:
After the discussions in Brussels yesterday, the European Council unanimously adopted conclusions on European defense. “Following its conclusions of March 6, 2025, and in light of the White Paper on the Future of European Defense of March 19, 2025, the European Council calls for an acceleration of work on all aspects to decisively increase Europe’s defense readiness in the next five years,” the text reads.
Financial Increase
The roadmap aims to finalize negotiations at the June European Council, scheduled immediately after the NATO summit in the Netherlands, where allies will be urged to increase spending targets to at least 3% of GDP. Some milestones outlined in the rearmament plan, such as activating exemptions to the Stability Pact on security spending, are expected to occur well before.
Readiness 2030
The full rearmament of the Union is getting a new name – as explained by the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a press conference – transitioning from ReArm Europe to “Readiness 2030”. The title, she explained, highlights “a broader scope that goes beyond just financing.” In addition to the national safeguard clause, the plan also includes the Safe project, encompassing “infrastructure, military mobility, and gaps in terms of capabilities: from missiles to drones, to artillery and cyber warfare.” A plan that includes up to €150 billion in loans for defense investments.
Supporting Kyiv
During the joint press conference between von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, references were made to direct military and financial support to Ukraine, which will be involved in joint procurement contracts related to the defense industry. French President Macron announced a new summit of willing countries in Paris next week to support Kyiv, stating on X: “We now have a strategy to fully rearm Europe, re-equip ourselves, and fully regain our independence in the next five years.”
