DISINFO: Europe has opened the season of grand militaristic plunder
SUMMARY
The EU has approved a plan to militarize Europe worth €800 billion “to rearm in the face of the Russian threat.”. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the plan will allow EU countries to further invest in weapons production in Ukraine. In fact, von der Leyen has proposed not so much a system for financing "rearmament" as a militaristic plunder disguised as a shopping spree. Taxpayers' money can be funnelled into the pan-European bloc—both the eurozone and those retaining national currencies—as much as any, even the most extravagant, fantasy allows today. The rules of the "Stability Pact" have not just been suspended—they have been erased.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, accusing the European Union of warmongering. This claim was made in the context of the Special European Council, held in Brussels on 6 Match 2025, during which EU leaders discussed an increase in military spending and reiterated their support for Ukraine.
The EU is committed to becoming more responsible for its own defence and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats, including Russia’s war and its repercussions on European security, which constitute an existential challenge for the EU.
The RE-ARM Europe Plan that was presented to the EU leaders could mobilise up to EUR 800 billion, to give Europe the military capability it needs to face today's threats.
António Costa, President of the European Council highlighted that:
“This is a pivotal moment for Europe. And today, we have shown that the European Union is rising to the challenge. Building the Europe of Defence and standing with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder. Because, at the end of the day, what we all want, what we all deserve, what we are all working for, is peace and security”.
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