EU chief calls for defence surge, says time of illusions over

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.

"The time of illusions is now over. Europe is called to take greater charge of its own defence," the European Commission president told the EU parliament in Strasbourg. "We need a surge in European defence. And we need it now."