EU Chief Calls for Increased Defense Spending Beyond 3%

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged EU member states to boost defense spending beyond 3% of GDP during a European Parliament debate on Tuesday, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

“Today we spend just short of 2% of our GDP on defense. Every analysis agrees that we need to move north of 3%,” she stated, emphasizing that most of the investment must come from national budgets.

She acknowledged past illusions about integrating Russia into Europe’s security framework and relying on U.S. protection, calling for the bloc to strengthen its own defense capabilities.

Von der Leyen also stressed the urgency of addressing Ukraine’s military supply gaps and ensuring solid security guarantees for the continent.

“Putin has proven time and again that he is a hostile neighbor. He cannot be trusted, he can only be deterred,” she said, warning that Russia’s military industry is outproducing Europe’s.

Despite challenges, she expressed confidence that Europe’s industrial power could restore deterrence against external threats.