"Charles Michel Urges Europe to Prepare for War"

European Council President Charles Michel called for Europe to shift to a "war economy" mode and bolster defense capabilities in response to the threat posed by Russia, emphasizing the need for EU countries to take responsibility for their own security. He highlighted the urgency of supporting Ukraine with military aid and called for using European budget and Russia's immobilized assets to purchase arms for Ukraine. EU foreign ministers agreed to allocate an additional 5 billion euros in defense assistance for Ukraine in 2024, and leaders of Germany, France, and Poland vowed more arms purchases and new initiatives to support Kyiv.