The chief of the European Union’s executive has proposed an 800 billion-euro (£662 billion) plan to strengthen the defences of EU nations, aiming to lessen the impact of potential US disengagement and provide Ukraine with military muscle to negotiate with Russia following the freeze of US aid.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented on March 4 the ReArm Europe plan aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities of European countries. The announcement comes amid seismic geopolitical shifts as U.

The chief of the European Union’s executive is proposing an 800 billion-euro ($841 billion) plan to beef up EU defenses.