Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: Yves Herman/Reuters
European Union countries spend an average of 1.9% of their GDP on defence, while Russia spends up to 9%. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the EU to seriously review its approach to defence funding to meet the level of threats posed by Russia. This was reported by the BBC.
She said this in a speech to MEPs on the eve of the vote for the new European Commission, which she will lead for the second time.
Disproportionate costs
“Something is not right here,” von der Leyen said, commenting on the gap between EU and Russian defence spending. According to her, Russia allocates about 8% of GDP to defence and security, which is about 40% of all budget expenditures. In 2025, Russia’s net defence spending will reach 6.3% of GDP, which is a significant increase in the years of a full-scale war against Ukraine.
Von der Leyen called on EU countries to increase defence spending to a level that meets current challenges.
NATO’s objectives and the situation in the EU
Unlike the EU, NATO countries already aim to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence. In 2024, 23 of the 32 members of the alliance will reach this level. However, the EU includes neutral countries such as Ireland, Austria, Malta and Cyprus, which are not NATO members and have limited military budgets.
“We must be as ambitious as the threats posed by Russia,” von der Leyen said in her address to the MPs.
Against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Moscow’s growing military spending, the EU is under pressure to increase investment in defence while maintaining financial stability in its member states. Von der Leyen’s proposal suggests that the EU should more actively integrate defence policies and increase funding for joint military initiatives.
The European Commission President’s call will send an important signal to the EU’s security and defence debate, especially in the context of the current threats on its eastern flank.
