Overview

• Germany has scrapped its constitutional 'debt brake,' unlocking up to €600 billion for military investment over the next decade.
• France is exploring extending its nuclear umbrella to European allies, signaling a push for strategic autonomy in defense.
• Eastern European nations, including Lithuania and Poland, are bolstering defenses by withdrawing from treaties on landmines and cluster munitions.
• Divisions persist within the EU on defense funding, with countries like Spain and Italy opposing proposed mechanisms for collective military investment.
• The Trump administration’s closer ties with Russia and reduced NATO support have heightened Europe's urgency to reduce reliance on U.S. military protection.