EU leaders seek security within the bloc, without the US

c/world · u/MicroWave@lemmy.world · 116 points

**Summary**

The EU is shifting toward defense self-sufficiency with Ursula von der Leyen’s €800 billion _ReArm_ Europe plan, driven by U.S. uncertainty.

It allows higher defense spending by breaking debt rules and introducing EU-backed loans for military investments.

Previously hesitant countries like Sweden and Germany now support it, while Hungary and Slovakia remain skeptical.

The plan prioritizes Europe’s security, sidestepping Ukraine-specific aid to avoid vetoes. If approved, it marks a historic step toward an independent EU defense strategy.

Comments

u/assaultpotato@sh.itjust.works · 13 points

There's also the fact that that money isn't strictly money "wasted" - you can effectively double dip by using the funds to buy domestic or allied materials, essentially just circulating the money around your economy and creating defense-related jobs. Not that you wanna go full MIC but it's not like Europe is gonna be flushing 800B down the drain.

u/aleq@lemmy.world · 23 points

Well, we can't trust the US security guarantees and we have an expansionist egomaniac in the east. There's not much choice to be honest. What good are any other investments if anything we build up is just gonna get crushed by Russia?

u/NeuronautML@lemmy.ml · 3 points

Wonderful, a separation from the US by the EU within my lifetime. I hate Trump but this is such a blessing.

No more supporting genocides, no more sensless peer wars, no more helping create high volume refugee crises, no more 20 year long wars on weapons of mass destruction that didn't exist, no more "heroically" deposing dictators to put extremist terrorist groups in their place and giving them tons of ready to use military equipment. No more random terrorist attacks from disgruntled extremist groups as revenge for random meddling going on since the 80s for cheaper oil prices. No more association with the country that detains people and tortures them without charges in illegally occupied land. No more threats of invasion by a military ally.

No more US influence. That's how I'd prefer it.

u/Suoko@feddit.it · -4 points

Anyone arguing that money could be better invested?

All monkeys agree on this kind of resolution?

Can't believe it