‘As real as it can get’: EU to loan €150bn for European defence from invasion
GuardianMAR 17
EU Rebrands Defense Plan After Southern States' Pushback
Above: At the EU HQ in Brussels on March 19, 2025, EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas unveils the White Paper on European Defence Readiness 2030 at a press conference. Image copyright: Nicolas Tucat/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The EU must dramatically boost its defense capabilities and military readiness to face growing threats from Russia, with the €800B investment package representing a crucial step toward strategic autonomy and reduced dependence on US support. The initiative will modernize European armed forces and strengthen the continent's defense industrial base.
Narrative B
The EU's strength lies in its soft power and technological advancement, not in competing in an arms race. Defense modernization should focus on a comprehensive approach encompassing cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and technological innovation rather than just military hardware.