EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday that new plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and enhance military capabilities could mobilise close to €800 billion (approximately $841.4 billion).
n her remarks, von der Leyen outlined proposals designed to provide member states with increased fiscal space for defence investments. Key elements of the plan include offering €150 billion in loans to support these investments and actively seeking to attract additional private capital to bolster defence projects across the bloc.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy amid evolving global security challenges. By expanding financial support and leveraging both public and private funding, the EU intends to enable member states to modernise their military capabilities and reduce dependency on external sources for critical defence technology.
“Ensuring that our member states have the financial tools to invest in modernising their armed forces is essential for the security and stability of Europe,” von der Leyen said. The proposed measures are intended to accelerate defence projects and maintain a robust European defence industry capable of addressing emerging threats.
The proposal comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and an uncertain security landscape are prompting EU leaders to re-examine defence spending and strategic priorities. Further discussions and negotiations among member states and EU institutions will determine the specific mechanisms for mobilising the estimated €800 billion.
The European Union will provide €20 million in humanitarian aid to support vulnerable refugees in Türkiye. This funding will be directed to humanitarian partners working closely with Turkish authorities to address refugees’ essential needs, including protection, health, water and sanitation, etc.
The European Union’s Commissioner for Industrial Strategy urged European countries to establish joint reserves of rare earth materials to reduce dependence on China and protect against supply disruptions.
Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Monday he will ask the EU Council to suspend the bloc’s agreement with Israel and back an arms embargo in response to human rights violations in Gaza.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran will continue to defend itself unless Israeli strikes stop, following high-level talks in Geneva with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, and the European Union’s top diplomat.
Several EU Member States have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) to assist the departure of citizens due to the airspace closures in the Middle East. Slovakia, Lithuania, Greece, Poland and Portugal have requested UCPM support to assist the departure of their nationals.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced a major reform initiative aimed at strengthening national sovereignty in the country’s space sector.
An historic mission began early on Wednesday (25 June) as astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) for their countries’ first-ever visit. They were joined by NASA veteran Peggy Whitson.
An explosive device detonated on an armoured combat-engineering vehicle in Khan Younis in Gaza, killing seven Israeli soldiers and seriously wounding another soldier on Tuesday (24 June).
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in dialogue amid recent regional tensions, with Washington expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced a major reform initiative aimed at strengthening national sovereignty in the country’s space sector.
An historic mission began early on Wednesday (25 June) as astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) for their countries’ first-ever visit. They were joined by NASA veteran Peggy Whitson.
An explosive device detonated on an armoured combat-engineering vehicle in Khan Younis in Gaza, killing seven Israeli soldiers and seriously wounding another soldier on Tuesday (24 June).
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