The EU has agreed to increase its defense budget: €800B will be allocated for European security and support for Ukraine.

On March 6 in Brussels, European leaders committed to a significant boost in the bloc’s defense budget. EC President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a plan to finance the defense sector with €800B, labeling it a “watershed moment” for both Europe and Ukraine. The summit’s central focus was the necessity of enhancing Europe’s defense capabilities following Donald Trump’s decision to halt military aid to Ukraine and restrict intelligence sharing.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not endorse the summit’s final statement on Ukraine, adhering to his pro-Russian stance, but the other 26 EU leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, voiced “strong support” for Ukraine.

“There can be no negotiations regarding Ukraine without Ukraine,” the EU asserted in a joint statement, which came in response to Trump’s attempts to exclude Kyiv from the negotiation process.

Von der Leyen’s plan is anticipated to encompass €150B in loans, along with more flexible budgetary rules that could release an additional €650B for military spending. However, member states must still reach an agreement on these mechanisms.