Facing pressure from Russian aggression in the east, the EU has pledged to build an independent, cross-border military under an ambitious defence strategy.

Boosting defence spending is no small task – it would require €500 billion over the next decade, according to European Commission President von der Leyen. Yet, only €1.5 billion is currently allocated for 2025 to 2027.

With the stakes high, the European Commission must answer uncomfortable questions: who will fund it, and how much will it cost?

In this episode, host Giada Santana and defence editor Aurelie Pugnet explore the EU’s defence budget dilemma with insights from Nathalie Loiseau, Member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE).