Media reports said as much as $700 billion could be allocated to Europe's defenses, though it was not clear how much of that amount would go to Kyiv.

Summary

European officials are preparing a multibillion-dollar defense package to bolster regional security and support Ukraine, announced by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the Munich Security Conference.

The package, potentially valued up to 700 billion euros, will fund military training, arms deliveries, and security guarantees amid concerns over Russian aggression and diminishing U.S. contributions to NATO.

The move follows calls for Europe to boost its own defense spending while U.S.-Russian talks, which exclude Ukraine and Europe, on ending the Ukraine conflict continue.

      • Renohren@lemmy.todayEnglish
        5·
        4 days ago

        Production isn’t were it’s supposed to be because there hasn’t yet been enough time to build more production capacity hardware (factories, specialist workers, logistical systems etc…). It’s unfortunate right now, the US has already all that. But it’s the big push before the end of the line for any US made weapon systems in the EU. Too dangerous to have an Ally of Russia as a supplier who can cut you out of the usage of what he sold you at the most critical time.

        • mathemachristian[he]@lemm.eeEnglish
          213·
          4 days ago

          we’re pinched for energy and dependent on the US for it unless we diversify our imports (russia) or produce our own (nuclear). Particularly for the production of steel.

          Whats even harder to fix is the brain-drain with most academics leaving for US or China where the major research is happening

          • The_Terrible_Humbaba@slrpnk.netEnglish
            61·
            4 days ago

            we’re pinched for energy and dependent on the US for it unless we diversify our imports (russia) or produce our own (nuclear)

            From what I heard, the EU is replacing Russian energy dependency with imports from the US and Norway, and I’m sure there would be other options if we cut off the US as well. Also, plenty of European countries have nuclear plants, and some are building more (UK, for one at least) as well as increasing renewable production.

            Whats even harder to fix is the brain-drain with most academics leaving for US

            From what I’ve been hearing, academia in the US is kinda fucked - probably even more now with Republicans Nazis in charge - so I’d need a source for that. In fact, starting a few months to a year ago, YouTube keeps recommending me videos of (American) people talking about why they left academia.

        • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
          11·
          3 days ago

          because there hasn’t yet been enough time to build more production capacity hardware

          Oh there has, but companies didn’t invest because noone was making large enough orders to justify that investment. Push come to shove Austria can build more rotary forges in a week than Russia can produce tank barrels in those two forges they have.