German Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports the warnings about
increasing overall spending to cover the gaps in the bloc’s capabilities,
according to the agency’s sources. They attribute this to problems in Germany’s
domestic budget.
At the EU summit that began on June 27, leaders were
surprised that in the midst of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Germany and the
Netherlands disagreed with a call to make progress on financing options for
increased spending, instead of discussing how to increase the scale and speed
of defense buildup, the outlet writes.
During the heated debate, some leaders, including those from
Denmark and Poland, noted that it was a good thing that neither Russian
representatives nor Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were present.
Scholz can count on the support of Dutch Prime Minister Mark
Rutte to block any progress on funding. Both oppose additional European
resources, including joint debt, until other options are exhausted.
According to one EU diplomat, the stance of Rutte, who will
be the next NATO secretary general, on delaying progress on funding is shocking
because of his future position. The Hague wants a clear needs assessment, an
improved domestic defense market, better procurement, and easier access to private
capital before agreeing to use European funds.
EU diplomats, however, believe that the German opposition
will not stop discussions on increasing the bloc’s defense capabilities amid
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing geopolitical risks.
After exchanging views on June 27, the leaders were to agree
on asking the bloc’s executive body to present options for public and private
funding to strengthen the defense industry and address critical gaps.
Germany does not want to see any new statements on defense and financing beyond those agreed at the previous EU leaders’ summit in March, arguing that there are no new developments that would merit changes, according to the sources.