EU leaders have endorsed a plan to boost defense budgets following warnings from the Trump administration to prioritize their own security, including support for Ukraine. The scheme includes loosening budget restrictions, redirecting unused funds towards security priorities, and providing 150 billion euros in military purchase loans. Priority areas for spending include air defense, artillery systems, cyber systems, and more. Despite the focus on the war in Ukraine, short-term solutions remain elusive, with the U.S. halting military support. Additionally, Hungary’s veto on a joint statement regarding support for Ukraine highlighted internal divisions.

The proposal aims to allow countries to increase military spending, potentially freeing up 650 billion euros for defense. The European Commission suggests each country could spend at least 3% of their GDP on defense, surpassing NATO’s 2% guideline. However, some EU members, like Italy and Spain, fall short of this target. The plan also introduces a 150 billion euro defense loan program to purchase new military equipment, with France advocating for a larger budget and Spain requesting grants instead of loans.

Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, refused to endorse parts of the summit statement supporting Ukraine, emphasizing Hungary’s isolation within the EU. Despite the discussions on bolstering security and defense, no new weapons were offered to Ukraine. The EU did not address the 183 billion euros in frozen Russian assets, with varying opinions on how to utilize these funds. The summit also saw Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressing gratitude for the support but highlighted the need for stronger defense capabilities.