Germany and the Netherlands block an increase in EU defense spending – media

Germany and the Netherlands during the EU Summit are against increasing EU defense spending. This prevents the summit in Brussels from agreeing on a strategic agenda for the next five years, which includes the goals of strengthening security and defense, Bloomberg reports.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is said to support a clause to increase overall spending to cover gaps in the bloc’s capabilities. Bloomberg attributes this to Germany’s domestic budget problems.

According to the publication, at the EU summit, which began on Thursday, leaders were surprised that, amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, Germany and the Netherlands did not agree to calls for progress on funding options for increased spending, instead of talking about how to increase and accelerate defense development.

During the heated discussion, several leaders, including Denmark and Poland, noted that it was good that representatives of Russia or Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky were not in the room.

Scholz can count on the support of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to block any progress on funding. Both are fighting for additional European resources, including shared debt, before other options are exhausted.

Rutte, who will become NATO’s next secretary-general, took a stance on delaying progress on funding that was surprising given his next job, an EU diplomat said. The Hague wants a clear assessment of needs, an improved internal defense market, better procurement and easier access to private capital before agreeing to the use of European funds.

However, EU diplomats believe that Germany’s opposition will not end discussions on how to increase the bloc’s defense capabilities against the backdrop of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and growing geopolitical risks.

Following Thursday’s exchange, the leaders are expected to agree to ask the bloc’s executive body to present public and private funding options to boost the defense industry and fill critical gaps.

Germany does not want to see any new defense and funding announcements beyond what was agreed at the previous summit of EU leaders in March, arguing that no new developments warrant changes, the sources said.

Let’s remember that in March the President of the European Council called on the EU to continue a “war”. He noted that the priorities for the European Union are the immediate provision of military aid to Ukraine and the accelerated procurement of ammunition.

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