Von Der Leyen Unveils Sweeping Plan to Boost E.U. Military Spending.

In an attempt to fill a vacuum as President Trump withdrew his backing for Ukraine and pushed Europe to increase its defense budget, a senior European official on Tuesday outlined a comprehensive plan for rearmament of the continent.

A broad but ambiguous proposal to increase European defense spending by 800 billion euros, or roughly $843 billion, including a €150 billion loan program to pay for additional weapons and technology, was laid out by the official, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union.

The world has suddenly altered, despite the European Union’s long-held belief that it was founded on the principles of peace and free commerce. Speaking to the press media on Tuesday from Brussels, Ms. von der Leyen declared, “We are in an era of rearmament.”

In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has been shifting his focus from Ukraine to Russia. According to senior administration sources, the change accelerated this week when Obama halted the transfer of all U.S. military supplies to Ukraine.

Europe is rushing to assist Ukraine in the short term and make sure it is ready to defend itself against a more aggressive Russia in the long run as a result of America’s realignment.

Ms. von der Leyen’s suggested solutions mostly entail loans and loosened budgetary regulations. E.U. member states, whose finances are already under strain, will ultimately decide whether to increase military spending.

However, the time is becoming more essential as Ukraine struggles with a severe lack of weapons in its conflict with Russia. Prior to a gathering of chiefs of state and government from the bloc’s 27 member states in Brussels on Thursday, Ms. von der Leyen presented her idea.