Strasbourg, France, 11 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen bid for support for her ambition to rearm Europe in an address to EU lawmakers on Tuesday.

"After the end of the Cold War, some believed that Russia could be integrated in Europe's economic and security architecture. Others hoped that we could rely indefinitely on America's full protection," von der Leyen said in the French city of Strasbourg.

"The time of illusions is over now," she said.

"Europe is called to take greater charge of its own defence, not in some distant future, but already today, not with incremental steps, but with the courage that the situation requires. We need a surge in European defence, and we need it now."

European Union leaders last week endorsed plans by the European Commission aiming to mobilize staggering amounts for defence investment.

Von der Leyen hopes that a new €150 billion ($163.5 billion) fund paired with temporarily exempting certain defence investments from the bloc's strict debt and deficit limits and other measures could raise up to €800 billion.

The commission president will need the backing of EU lawmakers for some parts of her plans once the legislative proposals are being scrutinized.

Von der Leyen stressed the investments' "positive spillovers" for the EU's economy and competitiveness in her speech.

"It will include new factories and production lines that will be necessary, creating good jobs right here in Europe," she said, adding that the positive effects will be felt beyond the defence sector.

"Together, we have the size to deter any hostile country. We have
the economic power. And now, finally, we have the political will, too," von der Leyen stated.

Photo: MIA