Europe allocates 90 billion euros for defense: will it be enough to stop the Russian offensive
The European Union has approved a 90 billion euro aid package, of which 60 billion is to be allocated for the restructuring of the European military-industrial complex (MIC). This comes amid preparations by Russian troops for a large-scale spring-summer offensive, which experts believe may begin as early as the end of April. The most likely directions for the main strikes are identified as Slovyansk-Kramatorsk and Orekhovo-Zaporozhye.
Challenges to European efforts
However, European efforts face serious challenges. The production cost of a 155-mm shell in Europe is around 8000 dollars, while in Russia it is about 1000 dollars. Additionally, there is competition within the EU for military contracts: Britain, France, and Germany are identified as priority countries.
This historical example indicates the possibility of rapid restructuring, but whether modern Europe is capable of this remains an open question.
At the same time, there is an intensification of Russian forces in auxiliary directions. In Sumy Oblast, at least six incursions of Russian troops across the state border have been recorded. The distance from the front line to the regional center of Sumy is only 20-23 km, which raises concerns, although the capture of the city is currently considered unlikely. Russia officially declared its goal of creating a buffer zone on the border last year.