About: defence spending
Dutch PM Rutte: Europe needs to increase military spending
Europe needs to increase military spending to keep the transatlantic NATO alliance alive in the face of rising threats from Russia, China and elsewhere, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday (3 October).
EU defence funding far too small for big ambitions: report
EU's objective to increase defence spending to €22.5 billion over the next decade is insufficient for its ambitions in the sector, the European Court of Auditors said Thursday (12 September) in its annual review paper on the bloc's defence cooperation and policy.
Sweden reveals plans for bank tax to finance defence spending increase
Sweden has revealed plans to introduce a new bank tax to fund the country's future increase in defence spending from 2022, as it revamps efforts to counter Russia’s military build-up in the Baltic Sea region.
Washington needles Germany with threat of US troops relocation to Poland
Washington has talked for some time of relocating US troops from Germany because of its annoyance with Berlin's military spending shortfalls. But President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Poland in September could give it another twist.
CDU party chief wants Germany to reach 2% NATO spending target
The leader of German Christian Democrats, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AKK), stated on Wednesday (12 June) that German military expenditures would have to be raised to NATO's 2% spending target, while former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel proposed splitting Germany's military spending into two funds. EURACTIV Germany reports.
World leaders gather in south England to remember D-Day
World leaders gather on the coast of southern England on Wednesday (5 June) to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and a feat that helped bring World War Two to an end.
Germany on the defence over military spending shortfalls
Germany restated its commitment to higher defence spending on Wednesday (3 April), seeking to defuse tensions between Berlin and Washington after a storm of criticism from the Trump administration over Germany's shortfalls in NATO contributions.
Trump says NATO countries’ burden-sharing improving, wants more
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (2 April) his pressure on NATO nations to pay more for their defence is leading to tens of billions of dollars more in contributions, but the allies may need to boost their budgets even more.
Slovakia signs deal to replace Russian-made fighter jets with US F-16 planes
Slovakia's defence ministry signed a deal on Friday (30 November) to buy 14 US-made F-16 fighter jets to replace its ageing Russian-made MiG-29s, its defence ministry said.
Trump ends NATO summit on happy note, saying he made it ‘much stronger’
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (12 July) he was able to squeeze an additional $33 to 40 billion for defence from his allies. But NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the figure had been made public before and did not mean Europe was committing any new money.
Bulgarian President: Trump raised the target for NATO spending from 2% to 4%
US President Donald Trump has raised the stakes for his European allies’ defence spending from 2% to 4% of GDP, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev told a small group of Bulgarian journalists at the NATO summit on Wednesday (11 July).
Trump horsewhips allies as confrontational NATO summit begins
To the pomp of brass bands and a fly-past of fighter jets, the NATO alliance holds a two-day summit starting today (11 July), looking stronger militarily than at any time since the Cold War, but also more divided than ever.
EU defence gets €20 billion budget boost
The EU on Wednesday (2 May) announced plans to spend nearly 20 billion euros on defence over its next long-term budget, as the bloc seeks to boost its resilience to the perceived threat from Russia.
Trump claims EU has made it ‘almost impossible’ for US firms
President Donald Trump lashed out at European Union trade rules yesterday (6 March), saying the bloc has made life near "impossible" for US firms, and threatening to ramp up tariffs on imports into the US.
US tells NATO allies spending plans still falling short
US President Donald Trump's defence secretary told European allies on Wednesday to step up efforts to increase military budgets and warned that troop contributions to missions did not exempt them from broader spending goals, officials said.
US defence chief to press Europeans on military spending
US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis will press European allies on Wednesday (14 February) to stick to a promise to increase military budgets as the United States offers an increase in its own defence spending in Europe.
EU takes step towards closer defence cooperation
The EU took a major step towards building closer defence ties on Monday (13 November), with 23 member states signing a landmark agreement, promoted by France and Germany, to fund and boost cooperation following Britain’s decision to leave the bloc.
MEPs denounce ‘attempts to militarise EU’s development policy’
The European Parliament’s Development Committee endorsed on Monday (3 July) an opinion to amend the regulation for establishing one of EU's key external aid instruments.
The defence of Europe comes before ‘European defence policy’
As politicians in France and Germany debate launching a common European defence policy, Jean-Thomas Lesueur rings the alarm over the worrying state of the continent’s military capabilities.
Trump demands NATO payment–but makes no defence pledge
US President Donald Trump stole the show at a meeting of NATO heads of state yesterday (25 May) when he doubled down on his demands for other members to pay more in an opening speech.
Majority of Germans wouldn’t support defending NATO allies in Russia conflict
European approval of NATO is on the rise, according to a US study. Germans support the alliance too but in a conflict with Russia, only a minority would back defending a partner country. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Trump, Macron plan ‘lengthy’ Brussels get-to-know-you lunch
President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron are to hold a "lengthy lunch" in Brussels this month - a bonding exercise for two men the White House believes have much in common.
Germany on cusp of new defence debate as military spending increases again
Global expenditure on weapons has risen for the second year in a row. Germany has increased its spending and opposition politicians want a new debate about defence. The issue could become crucial in the end-of-year elections. EURACTIV Germany reports.