EU budget must consider defence needs -von der Leyen

(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, MAY 13 - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday that the next long-term EU budget must take account of the need to ramp up defence spending.
    "Russia's war of aggression has changed the security of our continent forever," said von der Leyen, who is in Rome on Monday to campaign ahead of next month's European elections and is the EPP's lead candidate and.
    "It has also given Europe an impulse for a common defence like never before.
    "The EU budget is already working to strengthen the defence sector. Now we must look to the future because our defence and security needs will only increase.
    "That is why I believe that the next long-term EU budget must take this into account". (ANSA).