EU Defence White Paper — ReArm Europe Initiative Launched

The European Commission published its White Paper on European Defence and launched the ReArm Europe plan, proposing a €150 billion defence investment instrument (SAFE — Security Action for Europe) and allowing member states to exclude defence spending from EU deficit rules. The initiative was triggered by Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and US signals of reduced NATO commitment under the Trump administration. It marked the most significant step toward EU defence integration since the Common Security and Defence Policy was established.