BRUSSELS (CHATNEWSTV) — Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal on Monday urged European nations to boost defense spending and consider common defense bonds to strengthen the continent’s security.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal made the call during an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels.
“All countries must contribute significantly more to their security and collective defense,” Michal said ahead of an informal European Council meeting on defense policy in Brussels.
Michal emphasized that while national efforts are crucial, deeper EU-wide defense cooperation—including joint projects and industrial investments—is needed.
“To find additional funding, we must seriously consider common defense bonds. This would quickly enhance Europe’s defense readiness while giving impetus to our defense industry,” he said.
The Estonian leader also pushed for increased support for Ukraine, calling for the use of more than €200 billion in frozen Russian assets within the EU. “If national inventories and wallets are empty, we must use these funds,” he said.
Michal and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo plan to raise concerns over hybrid threats and the need to protect shared undersea infrastructure, calling for stronger EU monitoring and repair capabilities.
The meeting, attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to reinforce Europe’s security ties with NATO and the United Kingdom.
