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.
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?
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.