The proposal for issuance of Eurobonds for EU defense armoursaid Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis coming to the Brussels Summit today, which the South seems to share, but not the North.

Over France, Italy and in general the countries of the South – They do not support the so-called “stingy” countries of the North, i.e. Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Austria

The Netherlands does not agree with the issuance of Eurobonds for defensesaid the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte upon his arrival at the European Council today at Brussels.

To strengthen the European defense industry, which needs public and private investment, various “innovative ideas” are being consideredsuch as the possibility of Eurobonds for defense – a debate that starts today at the Summit and will continue in the coming months. According to European diplomatic sources, this idea is supported by France and Italy and in general the countries of the South, but they do not support the so-called “stingy” countries of the North, namely Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Austria. In the European Council’s draft conclusions, European leaders ask to be considered “all options” ahead of the Commission’s report due in June.

In terms the issue of using surplus profits from frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine’s arsenalthe Prime Minister of the Netherlands spoke in favor, saying that the proposal of the European Commission is “promising”. He noted that the Commission had found a “strong legal path” and the next steps should be taken. Mark Rutte said he was not sure if there would be an agreement on this today, but he expressed confidence that it would happen soon.

On the situation in the Middle East and the Gaza Strip, the Dutch prime minister underlined the need for a cessation of hostilities, so that all hostages are released and all possible corridors are opened for the access of humanitarian aid. He stressed that discussions at the European Council will focus on ensuring the massive flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and discouraging Israel from launching a ground attack on Rafahwhich it would be “humanitarian disaster”.

The prime minister of Estonia, Kaya Kallas, also spoke in favor

In favor of Eurobonds for financing of the defense industry, the prime minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, said in the statements she made while attending the European Council in Brussels. If that proposal does not go forward, there will have to be something else “that will solve the problem” of funding the defense industry, he said. “We need her now, we can’t wait,” emphasized Kaya Callas.

In relation to the Middle East, the Estonian prime minister expressed hope that there would be conclusions and that everyone would support “the truce”.