Russia Warns EU Military Spending Hits Critical Economic Limit

By Staff, Agencies

The European Union’s rapidly expanding defense budget risks becoming an unsustainable economic burden, according to Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Alexander Venediktov.

Venediktov further warned on Wednesday that projected military expenditures could destabilize social and economic frameworks across the continent.

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Venediktov cited expert projections that the European defense budget is expected to rise by €500 billion [$567 billion] over the next decade, as EU leadership prioritizes military development.

According to Venediktov, EU military spending has already reached what he called "a critical level for the EU economy," with current figures exceeding €320 billion in 2024 alone.

He argued that the push for higher defense spending reflects a larger strategy by the European Commission and individual member states, including the UK, Germany, and the Baltic countries, which he warned could result in the erosion of essential public services.

The Russian Security Council official emphasized that the budgetary focus on armament will likely force governments to slash vital sectors such as education, health, and social support in order to sustain military outlays.

Venediktov further predicted that the proposed defense spending surge would significantly damage the EU’s macroeconomic indicators, aggravating pre-existing vulnerabilities in the continent’s energy and industrial sectors.

His remarks reflect Moscow’s ongoing criticism of NATO-aligned military expansions and a broader condemnation of what the Kremlin sees as militarization at the expense of social welfare.

Venediktov’s comments align with Russia’s longstanding stance that Western policies, particularly in relation to defense spending and sanctions, are short-sighted and detrimental to domestic stability within the EU.

As debates intensify over defense budgets and economic priorities, EU leaders are expected to face increasing scrutiny from both domestic constituencies and international observers regarding the long-term sustainability of their military strategies.