SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Europe on Defense: We Must Do More

We must do more. This is stated by both the EU and Nato in the pursuit of ways to handle the defense of Europe after Donald Trump's return as president in the USA. The EU can relax strict budget rules to get more to invest.

» Published: February 03 2025

Europe on Defense: We Must Do More
Photo: Omar Havana/AP/TT

The EU Council President António Costa summarizes the situation on the defense side after the EU countries' informal summit in Brussels on Monday.

We must do more, better, stronger, and faster. And we must do it together, emphasizes Costa at the press conference afterwards.

Therefore, the EU countries will now proceed with discussions on how to jointly address various deficiencies that countries see on the defense side, such as air defense and ammunition.

Budget Opening

The EU Commission simultaneously promises to review the flexibility in the otherwise strict budget rules. The idea is to thereby enable increased defense investments. This type of opening has long been demanded by several countries in southern Europe, which are otherwise pressured by high national debts and budget deficits.

Regarding other financing of defense, Costa simultaneously promises continued work on other ideas that have been raised, including "more innovative" solutions. In clear text, this means the joint EU loans that several EU countries would like to see – but not Sweden and Germany.

I'm not going to start a discussion about borrowing large sums to now solve problems that many countries should have solved a long time ago, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) on site in Brussels.

Cautious NATO

Even within NATO, there is strong pressure for increased defense investments, as a response to harsh words from the USA's new-old President Donald Trump about higher defense budgets and access to Greenland.

At the same time, caution is evident. NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who participated in the EU summit as an extra lunch guest, was careful to support both Denmark and the USA in the Greenland discussion.

We have very good discussions with Denmark and all member countries, but it is clear that Trump is right when it comes to doing more in the area furthest north, said Rutte and added:

It's not just about Greenland, but also about Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Canada, and even the USA itself. We will work together within NATO to ensure that we do what is required, said Rutte.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Monkey caused power outage across entire Sri Lanka
1 MIN READ

Monkey caused power outage across entire Sri Lanka

The Baltic Region connected to the EU's power grid: "Historic"
1 MIN READ

The Baltic Region connected to the EU's power grid: "Historic"

Reports: Explosion on Russian Oil Tanker
1 MIN READ

Reports: Explosion on Russian Oil Tanker

Refused in Norway – mountain to be blasted
1 MIN READ

Refused in Norway – mountain to be blasted

Netanyahu on Trump's Gaza Plan: We're Doing the Job
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu on Trump's Gaza Plan: We're Doing the Job

Italy warns of refugee flow from Libya
1 MIN READ

Italy warns of refugee flow from Libya

Trump presses Putin's weak spot – oil
3 MIN READ

Trump presses Putin's weak spot – oil

Egypt launches diplomatic offensive on Gaza
1 MIN READ

Egypt launches diplomatic offensive on Gaza

Historically low asylum numbers in Denmark
1 MIN READ

Historically low asylum numbers in Denmark

Danish cargo ships transport military cargo to Israel
2 MIN READ

Danish cargo ships transport military cargo to Israel

Trump and Putin have spoken on the phone
1 MIN READ

Trump and Putin have spoken on the phone

Thais back home – held hostage in Gaza
1 MIN READ

Thais back home – held hostage in Gaza

Tremor in the Caribbean – Tsunami Warning Cancelled
1 MIN READ

Tremor in the Caribbean – Tsunami Warning Cancelled

Palestinians flee after intensified Israeli raids
1 MIN READ

Palestinians flee after intensified Israeli raids

Curfew as Fires Rage in Central Chile
1 MIN READ

Curfew as Fires Rage in Central Chile

Released Hostage Did Not Know That His Family Had Been Killed
2 MIN READ

Released Hostage Did Not Know That His Family Had Been Killed

At Least 30 Dead in Bus Crash in Mexico
1 MIN READ

At Least 30 Dead in Bus Crash in Mexico

New giant protests against German far-right
1 MIN READ

New giant protests against German far-right

Men fight against female genital mutilation of girls
5 MIN READ

Men fight against female genital mutilation of girls

Zelensky confirms new offensive in Kursk
1 MIN READ

Zelensky confirms new offensive in Kursk