Europe considers a major defense spending package as Trump signals disengagement
BERLIN — The head of the European Union’s executive branch proposed an $840 billion plan to quickly build up defense budgets in Europe, as President Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine and signals his administration could pull back from a long-standing U.S. commitment to protect allies on the continent.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday she will present her “ReArm Europe” proposal to the leaders of the EU’s 27 member countries.
“I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face,” von der Leyen said in a statement. “We are in an era of rearmament. And Europe is ready to massively boost its defence spending.”
The announcement followed news late Monday that the White House will put U.S. military aid to Ukraine on hold, as Trump accuses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of not being “ready for peace.”
“We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” a White House official said, speaking on background.
Von der Leyen was already working on an EU defense buildup plan before Trump’s decision was announced.
She said a new fund worth more than $150 billion would support EU members’ investing in defense, while relaxing the bloc’s debt rules to free up more than $680 billion over the next four years.
She also said member states could use funding intended for other EU programs to increase defense spending.
Details of the plan were outlined in a letter she sent to EU leaders ahead of a summit scheduled for Thursday. The letter referenced “financial levers at our disposal,” including activating what’s called the “national escape clause” of the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact, which would allow member states to run larger budget deficits than typically allowed in order to significantly increase their defense expenditures.
For example, mentioned von der Leyen, “If Member States would increase their defense spending by 1.5% of GDP on average, this could create fiscal space of close to EUR 650 billion over a period of four years.”
EU leaders are expected to discuss von der Leyen’s proposal at a leader summit in Brussels on Thursday.
“This is Europe’s moment, and we must live up to it,” Von der Leyen said.
This is a developing story that may be updated.
Trent Dilfer fired as UAB’s football coach
UAB has lost three straight, leaving it 9-21 in 2 1/2 seasons under Dilfer. The Blazers were 4-8 in 2023 and 3-9 last year.
She was about to drop out of college, but then her professor stepped in
Midway through her first semester of college, Silvana Clark realized she didn't have enough money to finish the year. Then, her drama professor stepped in.
Amid shutdown, Trump administration guts department overseeing special education
Multiple sources tell NPR that, as part of the Trump administration's latest reduction-in-force, the U.S. Department of Education has gutted the office that handles special education.
In a major milestone, Hamas begins releasing final Israeli hostages
Hamas on Monday began releasing the final Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, a major milestone in the efforts to end the devastating two years of war in the Palestinian territory.
Pastors and staff from underground church are arrested in China
China has in recent years arrested and detained Christian leaders of underground churches, who are not registered with the government and under its control.
U.S. measles cases continue to climb, with outbreaks across the country
In South Carolina, more than 150 unvaccinated schoolkids are under quarantine after being exposed to measles. Across the U.S., total case counts could be even higher than the official number.
