EU Moves to Boost European Arms Industry, Reduce Reliance on US Security

The commission says the proposals could mobilize 800 billion euros for defense readiness to deter any attack from Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 19, 2025. Virginia Mayo/AP Photo

The European Union has announced a plan to reduce its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe.

On March 19, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled its “Readiness 2030” security strategy, which allows member states to exceed spending limit rules and increase defense budgets by up to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product over four years.

The EU expects this to generate more than 800 billion euros ($869 billion) for defense spending.

It also has plans to provide 150 billion euros ($163 billion) in loans to member states for defense investment.

Under the new strategy, member countries will be urged to buy much of their military equipment in Europe, working mostly with European suppliers.

At least 65 percent of the total cost of the equipment bought with the loans will have to be for parts originating in the EU, European Economic Area, European Free Trade Association, or Ukraine.

“Across the Atlantic, the United States, traditionally a strong ally, is clear that it believes it is over-committed in Europe and needs to rebalance, reducing its historical role as a primary security guarantor,” the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 reads.

Von der Leyen said: “The era of the peace dividend is long gone. The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted.

“We must invest in defense, strengthen our capabilities, and take a proactive approach to security.

“We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defense technological and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defense equipment.”

The EU is launching the massive project to build up its defense industry aimed at deterring Russia.

The Trump administration has also demanded that Europe take more responsibility for its own defense.

The defense white paper reads: “If Russia is allowed to achieve its goals in Ukraine, its territorial ambition will extend beyond. Russia will remain a fundamental threat to Europe’s security for the foreseeable future, including its more aggressive nuclear posture and the positioning of nuclear weapons in Belarus.”

The plan also envisages more support for Ukraine.

This includes providing the country with a minimum objective of 2 million rounds of “large calibre artillery ammunition” per year, as well as more air defense systems, missiles, and drones.

It also foresees continuing to train tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops annually.

According to the plan, money sent directly to Ukraine’s defense industry was the “most effective and cost-efficient way” to support the EU’s military efforts against Russia.

Trump and Putin

Following a phone call with President Donald Trump on March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a limited cease-fire, in which Russia and Ukraine would stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.

“My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one,” Trump said in a Truth Social post after the call.

“We agreed to an immediate Cease-fire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Cease-fire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine.”

According to a Kremlin readout of the call, Trump proposed a deal whereby Russian and Ukrainian forces would mutually refrain from attacks on “energy infrastructure facilities.”

“Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order,” the Kremlin wrote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country would support the proposal to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

However, he told reporters during an online briefing that he does not trust the Russians and, as a result, needs to understand how the cease-fire will work technically.

Before the call, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Kyiv is not an “obstacle” to a peace deal with Russia and expressed optimism that both sides could achieve peace under Trump’s leadership.

“Our approach: Now is a time for diplomacy, for a strong diplomacy,” Sybiha said on March 18 at a geopolitical conference in India.

“We also really believe that with [the] leadership of President Trump, we could achieve long-lasting, just peace.”

The Associated Press, Reuters, and Kimberly Hayek contributed to this report.