The European Commission has proposed on Tuesday to allow the countries of the European Union, in particular those bordering Russia, to use the money they receive from the EU budget to strengthen their defense capabilities.

The proposal concerns 392 billion euros, which the EU usually spends in the context of cohesion policy to balance living conditions across the Union, and which can now be used to enhance defense readiness.

Redirecting some cohesion funds to defense will be voluntary for any government, so it is difficult to assess the impact on the EU’s overall defense effort.

However, this money will be added to the 150 billion euros of common debt planned by the EU for defense spending, as well as an initiative that excludes defense spending from the EU’s annual net government spending.

The Commission has estimated that this exemption will generate additional costs of 650 billion euros over four years.

Normally, EU countries need to share the cost of a project funded by EU cohesion funds. According to the new proposal, investment in defense will benefit from the one -off pre -financing of 30% in 2026 and the EU to cover the entire project costs.

Since EU conditions prohibit funding of military spending directly from its budget, the money will be donated to dual -use, political and military projects, such as strengthening roads and bridges to cross battle tanks.

EU budget funds could also be spent on political shelters, critical infrastructure protection, defense equipment production and employee training.

“Today’s proposal will further allow Member States and Regions to use the funding available to strengthen production capacity in the defense sector,” the committee said in a statement.

The proposal will need the approval of the European Parliament and the EU governments in order to enter into force in early 2026.