EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the European parliament to ramp up defence spending, as leaders mobilise to find common ground on the military future of the continent.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday called for a "surge" in European defence spending, as the 27-nation bloc faces an aggressive Russia and faltering US support. Von der Leyen indicated Tuesday the loans should be directed towards reinforcing "strategic capability" domains within Europe's own defence industry.

Russia spends more on armaments than the rest of Europe combined, warned the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday in the European Parliament. However, she added that during last week's summit,

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday called for a "surge" in European defense spending, as the 27-nation bloc faces an aggressive Russia and faltering United States support. Addressing lawmakers in the eastern French city of Strasbourg,