European Union leaders have pledged to significantly boost their collective defence capabilities in response to escalating security threats, particularly from Russia and other geopolitical challenges.

During a summit held in Brussels, led by European Council President Antonio Costa, leaders recognized the urgent need to address significant gaps in military preparedness that have emerged in light of recent global developments, notably following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The summit's discussions highlighted the growing apprehension among European nations regarding their long-term security, particularly amid uncertainties surrounding the reliability of U.S. defence support.

As a response, European countries have increased their defence budgets, observing a substantial rise of 30% in defence spending in 2023, bringing the average expenditure to approximately 1.9% of GDP.

Despite these increases, EU officials acknowledged that further action is necessary to adequately address critical defence needs.

The European Commission has projected that an additional funding requirement of around 500 billion euros over the next decade will be essential to close significant defence gaps, specifically in areas such as air and missile defence, military logistics, and munitions supply.

During the summit, discussions around potential funding strategies were initiated, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advocating for a broadened defence industrial base within Europe to meet these increased demands.

Although the question of issuing joint debt to finance the proposed spending increase was not conclusively addressed, diplomatic sources suggest that a potential compromise could include the provision of loans for military projects instead of grants.

In addition, the EU's European Investment Bank, as well as private sector investment, may contribute to the financial framework necessary for this military expansion.

The summit discussions were further complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement of impending tariffs on imports from the EU, introducing additional strain to transatlantic relations amid the ongoing discourse on European security.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also contributed to the talks, reinforcing the vital role of collective defence initiatives in the current geopolitical climate.

While the precise methods of financing the increased defence measures remain undecided, EU leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to reinforcing Europe’s defence capabilities in the face of evolving security challenges.