European Union leaders gather on Monday to discuss how to increase the rescue of the continent against Russia and how to handle the US President Donald Trump After his decision Apply tariff On goods from Canada, Mexico and China.
At a Royal Palace-Tur-Conship Center in Brussels, Leader of 27 countries of the European Union will have lunch with NATO general secretary Mark Rute and will have a meal with British Prime Minister Kir Stmper.
European Council President Antonio Costa has billed a day gathering as a “retreat” dedicated to defense policy instead of a formal summit, which has bill without any official decision or decision without open discussion. Targets for.
The first session focuses on Bhurajiti and relations with the United States, which means that Trump’s wide weekend is sure to step on Tiffs – especially as European Union officials Fear They may soon face similar measures.
Trump, who started his second term as President on January 20, so be a major factor of dialogue on defense, because he demanded that the European nations spend a lot on their security and combined through NATO security alliance The state rely less on America.
Trump’s call for Denmark, a member of the European Union Seed greenland For the United States – and refusal to complete military action or economic pressure to force Copenhagen’s hand – the strains have been added to the trans -etantic relationships.
European Union leaders are expected to discuss which military capabilities they need in the coming years, how they can be funded and how they can cooperate more through joint projects.
Costa said in a letter to the leaders, “Europe needs to take maximum responsibility to protect itself.” “It needs to become more flexible, more efficient, more autonomous and more reliable security and defense actor.”
Funding
According to diplomats, funding discussions will be specificly difficult, as there are very few space in its public finance for large spending hikes in many European countries.
Some countries search as Baltic states and France, advocating the United European Union to spend on defense. But Germany and Netherlands have been opposed.
An agreement may be to borrow to finance loans rather than grants for defense projects, according to some diplomats.
European countries have increased defense spending in recent years, especially since Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion of Ukraine, which was brought to the borders of the European Union.
But many European Union leaders have said that they will need to spend even more. Trump has told NATO European members Shoulder 5% of GDP on defense – There is no member of the alliance including the United States.
Last year, the European Union countries spent an average of $ 334.48 billion on an average of the GDP on defense.
According to the European Union, this is an increase of 30% from 2021. So but it has widely intercourse between the countries of the European Union.
According to NATO estimates, Poland and Baltic states are one of the largest defense experts in GDP terms, Warsaw led a pack of over 4.1%. But some of the largest economies of the European Union search as Italy and Spain – about 1.5% and 1.3% respectively.
