EU consents EUR150 billion militarization strategy

(MENAFN)
European Union ambassadors have endorsed a €150 billion ($169 billion) debt-financing initiative aimed at accelerating the bloc's military buildup. The program, known as SAFE (Support for Ammunition, military Financing, and European defense), was announced Wednesday by the Polish presidency of the EU Council.

The plan enables EU member states to sidestep traditional parliamentary voting procedures and tap into low-interest loans for acquiring military hardware such as drones, ammunition, and air defense systems. The initiative also allows non-EU nations like the UK and Ukraine to participate.

According to Euronews, some countries are considering using the funds to increase military aid to Ukraine. Under SAFE guidelines, at least 65% of components in weapons systems must be sourced from within the EU, Ukraine, or the European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association, while up to 35% can come from other countries.

The debt-driven defense strategy comes as nations like France, Germany, and Belgium cut social spending, citing rising debt and budget deficits.

The Polish presidency called SAFE the EU’s “first major program” to boost defense investment and confirmed it would officially take effect following EU Council approval on May 27.

This push for European defense autonomy follows calls from Western European leaders to reduce reliance on U.S. weaponry amid perceived threats from Russia.

Moscow has sharply criticized the EU’s growing militarization, labeling the idea of a Russian threat as “nonsense” and accusing Western leaders of spreading fear to justify aggressive policies. Russian officials have warned that increased EU military expenditure amounts to inciting war in Europe. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated the EU has “degraded into an openly militarized entity.”

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