The president of the European Commission stated at the Conference that it "will propose to activate mechanisms to increase defence spending". “This is the time to decision up the mountains in the European Union to increase spending and intensify Ukraine’s EU accession process,” said von der Leyen.
— Many people in Europe's safety circles were confused, and any even worried about the comments made earlier this week by high-ranking U.S. officials. But we should be honest here, and we gotta avoid outrage and screaming. If we perceive to the essence of these comments, we will not only realize where they come from, but we will consider that there are any comments that we can agree on," said the EC President. Wednesday, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth endorsed in Brussels the thought of US president Donald Trump to increase the threshold of defence spending in NATO to 5 percent.
Ursula von der Leyen announces “the escape clause”
— Expenditure must increase, but it is besides crucial that we have the ability to make defence systems,” indicated von der Leyen. — That's why I can announce that I'm going to propose launching an escape clause for defence investments. This will let associate States to importantly increase defence spending “The EC chief said.
The clause allows associate States to loosen the rules to keep a budget deficit below 3% of GDP. It was launched, among others, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This derogation will let states to spend on defence without having to cut budgets in another areas — to meet the requirements of the stableness and Growth Pact. It is part of the excessive deficit procedure. Poland sought specified a derogation.
