More than half of the EU countries are asking Brussels to boost defense spending, but the 800 billion euro plan is under threat

 

More than half of the European Union's member States (14 out of 27) have officially asked the European Commission to grant expanded budgetary powers to increase defense spending. Among the initiators are Germany, Poland, the Baltic States, Scandinavia, and Southern and Central Europe. Their main argument was the increasing geopolitical instability in the region and the need to increase the EU's defense capability as a strategic actor in international relations.

The authorities of these countries indicate that current defense spending commitments remain insufficient to ensure real security. Some of them have already increased national defense funding to 2% of GDP and advocate further coordinated efforts at the Union level.

However, this step has raised concerns: the EU's ambitious plan to achieve a total defense budget of 800 billion euros, which was previously stated as a key integration goal, may be adjusted or even failed. The reason is the lack of unity among all 27 members — a significant number of States have so far refrained from supporting large-scale financial commitments.

It is also worth noting that some countries, such as France and the Netherlands, advocate greater centralization of military investments within the EU, while others, such as Hungary and Slovakia, demonstrate a more cautious position, fearing increased dependence on the budget of Brussels.

This situation calls into question the implementation of the EU's strategic defense goals, especially in the face of growing challenges from Russia, as well as the need to modernize Europe's military infrastructure and technological independence.