EU lawmakers criticize EU for prioritizing war over diplomacy
In a triumphant speech in September 2022, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that EU sanctions were devastating Russia's industry.
Russia's financial sector is on life support.
Ursula Von Der Leyen, EU Commission President
Fast forward two and a half years, and her tone in the chamber had shifted on Tuesday March 11, 2025.
If we look at the military expenditure in real terms, the Kremlin is spending more than all of Europe combined.
Ursula Von Der Leyen, EU Commission President
Von der Leyen's proposal to establish an €800 billion weapons fund dubbed 'Rearm EU' has gained significant support from many lawmakers, but also faces strong opposition from others.
Rearming is an attack on EU citizens, health care and social services will be sacrificed.
Businesses are going bankrupt and families are already paying through the nose.
The plan is a terrible mistake.
Danilo Della Valle, Italian MEP
While progress was being made towards securing peace in Ukraine, during talks in Riyadh, European Union authorities faced accusations of prioritizing war over diplomacy.
No single diplomatic initiative was supported by the Commission; Turkey's efforts, or Brazil's, or China's, or African countries, not even the Pope's efforts.
Martin Schirdewan, German MEP
Many experts argue that the EU has no choice but to invest in defense due to Donald Trump's America First policy.
It's no longer a question of whether we can afford it. We must afford it.
The current situation requires Europe to spend much more on defense and security.
So ways have to be found, which is going to be painful.
Fabian Zuleeg, European Policy Centre, CEO
Some EU legislators claim that Ukraine's history of corruption makes it an untrustworthy partner.
We need to investigate, in the name of transparency, how much of the Billions of euros sent to Ukraine so far have [sic] ended up in the pockets of oligarchs.
Zsuzsanna Brvendeg, Hungarian MEP
Since the unveiling and endorsement of the 'Rearm EU' plan by the bloc's leaders, stocks in major weapons manufacturers have soared.
Campaigners argue these companies are not interested in the fate of Ukraine and that they are only concerned with their turnover and sales figures.
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