Special European Council in Brussels backs defence spending surge and EU loans of up to €150 billion
EU leaders at a special European Council in Brussels on 6 March 2025 agreed to substantially raise defence spending and asked the Council to urgently examine a Commission proposal for up to €150 billion in defence loans.
Summary
EU heads of state or government met at a special European Council in Brussels on 6 March 2025. Their conclusions on European defence welcomed the Commission's plan to activate the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact for defence spending and took note of its proposal for a new instrument giving member states loans backed by the EU budget of up to €150 billion. The package, which Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the ReArm Europe plan, could mobilise close to €800 billion. Priority areas include air and missile defence, artillery, missiles and ammunition, drones and anti-drone systems. The text on Ukraine was backed by 26 leaders, with Hungary staying out; the EU will provide Ukraine €30.6 billion in 2025.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 6 March 2025, Brussels
- Defence loans
- Up to €150 billion, backed by the EU budget
- ReArm Europe
- Could mobilise close to €800 billion
- Fiscal step
- National escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact
- Ukraine text
- Backed by 26 leaders (not Hungary); €30.6 billion for 2025
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Up to how much in EU-budget-backed defence loans for member states was proposed, as noted by the special European Council on 6 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — €150 billion
Leaders took note of the Commission's proposal for a new instrument giving member states loans of up to €150 billion backed by the EU budget.
Which EU member state did NOT join the other 26 leaders in backing the Ukraine text at the special European Council of 6 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Hungary
The text on Ukraine was firmly supported by 26 heads of state or government; Hungary's Viktor Orban stayed out.
To let member states spend more on defence, the European Council of 6 March 2025 welcomed the planned activation of the national escape clause of which framework?
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Correct answer: B — The Stability and Growth Pact
The Commission planned to recommend activating the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact, the EU's fiscal rules, for defence spending.