EU Leaders Approve Plan to Boost Defense Spending Amid Ukraine War Concerns

European leaders have approved a European Union proposal to increase defense spending in response to the war in Ukraine and concerns about reduced U.S. support. The plan involves relaxing debt rules to allow member states to invest more in military capabilities, potentially reaching €650 billion in national budgets and an additional €150 billion in loans from the European Commission. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that discussions with the U.S. regarding a peace agreement would resume next week. He also mentioned his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia on March 10 to discuss the matter further. Russia's Foreign Ministry accused French President Emmanuel Macron of "nuclear blackmail" after he suggested using France's nuclear arsenal to protect European allies. This statement will be considered in Russia's defense planning.