EU leaders back new defence spending plans

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at an EU summit (Omar Havana/AP)

European Union leaders have backed new defence spending plans aimed at freeing up billions of euros for the continent’s security after the Trump administration signalled that Europe would have to fend for itself in the future.

The 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their military spending.

They also urged the European Commission to explore new ways “to facilitate significant defence spending at national level in all member states”, a statement said.

The EU’s executive branch estimates that around 650 billion euros could be freed up in this way.

The leaders also took note of a commission offer of a loan package worth 150 billion euros to buy new military equipment and invited EU headquarters staff “to examine this proposal as a matter of urgency”.