Defence funds 'Nothing is off the table', says EU chief von der Leyen

"Nothing is off the table" when it comes to raising money for defence, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said, as she warned that European values such as democracy and the rule of law were under threat in an increasingly "transactional" world.

- Jennifer Rankin

Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, the head of the EU executive told reporters there was a new sense of urgency in the geopolitical sphere and that "something fundamental" had shifted since she began her second term in office on 1 December, nearly 100 days ago.

"Our European values, democracy, freedom, the rule of law are under threat," von der Leyen told reporters at a press conference yesterday. "We see that sovereignty, but also ironclad commitments, are called into question. Everything has become transactional."

After being asked about the matter repeatedly, von der Leyen said the US was still an ally, although "we have our discussion points, without any question". She said: "From the viewpoint of the European Union, I think it's a very strong wake-up call."

EU leaders last week pledged to dramatically increase military spending as part of von der Leyen's €800bn (£670bn) plan to allow member states to take out loans and increase national debt without incurring penalties under the bloc's strict fiscal rules.