
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a five-part plan to mobilise some 800bn euros ($842bn) to beef up Europe’s defence and provide “immediate” military support to Ukraine after the United States suspended aid.
“A new era is upon us,” the president said in a letter presenting the plan to 27 European Union (EU) leaders on Tuesday, two days before a summit aimed at cementing joint action on Ukraine and Europe’s long-term security begins in Brussels.