Strasbourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Parliament hosted a joint debate on the future of European defence and support to Ukraine with EU Commission President von der Leyen and EU Council President Costa.
MEPs discussed European security and support to Ukraine in a joint debate after hearing statements from President von der Leyen and President Costa.
While many MEPs agreed on the need of the EU to take on more responsibility for its own security, no consensus on von der Leyen’s plan to increase defence expenditure was reached among MEPs.
The Left group in particular opposes the plan, as it only focuses on military expenditure and does not include diplomatic solutions.
Rearmy is a declaration of war. It is a terrible mistake. Do you want a third world war?,
said MEP Della Valle.
However, President von der Leyen left the room shortly after hearing the statements from the presidents of each parliamentary group – which precede the debate to which all MEPs can take part – and wasn’t in the room to hear it.
Von der Leyen and Costa determined to move forward with rearmament
In her introduction, von der Leyen outlined the Commission’s ReArm Europe plan. She insisted on measures to allow member states to invest more on defence and on the use of the national escape clause, which she proposes to trigger in a “controlled and coordinated way” for all member states.
Putin is a hostile neighbour, he cannot be trusted.
Europe must stand with Ukraine. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security, she said, adding that after the Special European Council on March 6, the EU has not only the size and the economic power, but also the political will to move forward with the plan.
President Costa, who arrived late due to “foggy weather” in Brussels, reiterated the same message.
Peace without defence is an illusion.
Increasing spending on defence also means investing in a deterrent that will ensure peace in Europe, creating new EU jobs and boosting Europe’s industrial and technological competitiveness, he added.
MEPs’ views on ReArm
MEP Procaccini, co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformist Groups, welcomed the future investments in defence and security, calling them an “act of dignity for our nations.”
Such steps should not be seen as a retaliation toward Trump and the US though, he clarified, as the Western alliance must remain.
The European People’s Party (EPP) group, the largest one in the Parliament, agrees with the rearmament plan as well, but also highlights how recent events – from Trump and Zelensky recent explosive meeting in the Oval Office to US Vice President Vance speech at the Munich Security Conference – have shown a new reality: Europe is now alone.
MEPs from different groups raised concerns over the lack of diplomatic options, and of investing in defence and weapons instead of education and healthcare. President Costa responded that the fundings allocated for defence are additional ones. Von der Leyen’s plan includes loaning money to member states and measures to allow investments without penalizing national economies.
Finally, some MEPs also called on the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and to speed up the process of independence from Mosow’s energy.
Two debates on this topic are planned for Wednesday afternoon.
The agenda of the next European Council: “preparing for the challenges ahead”
The Polish Minister of EU Affairs Adam Szlapka briefly illustrated what the next Council’s work will focus on.
Defence and the Ukraine war will still be one of the main topics on the agenda, and the Council will follow up on the work done on the Special European Council on March 6.
A discussion on the situation in the Middle East will also be on the table, together with a conservation on multilateralism in foreign relations.
On March 20 and 21, Ministers will discuss further measures to increase competitiveness, focusing on reducing administrative burden, ensuring access to clean and affordable energy and increasing investments within the EU.
2025 is the year of action and delivery,
said minister Szlapka.
A discussion on migration and a EU new approach on migrants returns is expected to take place as well. Before that, the European Parliament will discuss it later today.
