With the possibility of losing US support under President Donald Trump, European Union leaders convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to strengthen their security and ensure Ukraine remains adequately protected, reports AP.
Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and summit chairman Antonio Costa discussed ways to bolster Europe’s defence over breakfast in Brussels. Merz has been advocating for easing the country’s debt constraints to facilitate increased military spending.
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At the same time, EU leaders woke up to reports that French President Emmanuel Macron was set to consult them on the potential role of France’s nuclear deterrent in safeguarding Europe from Russian threats.
These discussions highlight the significant shift in dynamics over the past two months since Trump assumed office and began reshaping the long-standing US-Europe alliance, which has underpinned Western security since World War II.
“Invest, invest, invest in defence and deterrence. That is the key message,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
This marks a sharp break from Europe’s decades-long trend of deprioritising military expenditure in favour of other budgetary concerns.
Macron, addressing the French public on Wednesday night, emphasised that the bloc would take “decisive steps forward.” He stated that member states would be able to increase military spending, with “massive joint funding” allocated to procure and manufacture advanced weapons, tanks, munitions, and other military equipment within Europe.
Reinforcing his point, Macron asserted that “Europe’s future does not need to be determined in Washington or Moscow.”
Ukraine's President Receives Warm Reception
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the summit, was met with strong expressions of solidarity from most EU leaders— a stark contrast to the harsh criticism he faced from Trump less than a week ago.
“I want to thank all our European leaders,” Zelenskyy said. “From the very start of the war, throughout this entire period, and even last week, you have stood by us.”
Boosting Defence Budgets
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed easing budgetary constraints to enable countries to significantly increase their defence spending. Her plan includes €150 billion ($162 billion) in loans to help acquire essential military equipment.
Given that most of the increased military expenditure would have to come from national budgets, von der Leyen has proposed measures to prevent struggling member states from being penalised for additional debt incurred for defence purposes.
“Europe is facing a clear and present danger, and therefore it must be able to protect and defend itself,” she stated.
France, for instance, is grappling with a high budget deficit of 5% of GDP after accumulating debt—now at 112% of GDP—due to economic relief measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Five other eurozone nations—Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal—have debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP. In contrast, Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has more fiscal flexibility with a debt level of 62% of GDP.
Addressing Ukraine’s Security
A crucial part of the EU’s security strategy is ensuring Ukraine remains supported.
On Wednesday night, a Russian missile strike on a hotel in Zelenskyy’s hometown killed four people. The hotel, located in Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, had recently become a base for humanitarian volunteers, including Ukrainian, American, and British nationals. It was unclear whether any of these foreign aid workers were among the 31 injured.
Earlier this week, Trump ordered a halt to US military supplies to Ukraine, pressing Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the war with Russia. This development has injected fresh urgency into Thursday’s summit discussions.
However, the meeting is not expected to immediately resolve Ukraine’s most pressing needs. It will not be focused on rapidly increasing arms and ammunition supplies to compensate for the US freeze. Nor is there consensus on whether to release the estimated €183 billion ($196 billion) in frozen Russian assets held in a Belgian clearing house.
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A Divided EU Faces a Defining Moment
Despite these limitations, EU leaders acknowledged the significance of the moment.
“This is a turning point for Europe and for Ukraine as part of our European family,” von der Leyen said, standing alongside Zelenskyy before entering the summit.
The greatest challenge, however, may lie in forging a unified EU stance at a time of internal division. Many key decisions require unanimous agreement, and Hungary, along with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, is threatening to veto parts of the summit's statement on Ukraine.
“We must make decisions, regardless of one or two dissenters,” said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. “Otherwise, history will judge us, and we will pay a steep price.”
While Thursday’s summit is not expected to yield immediate financial commitments for Ukraine or EU defence, the upcoming EU summit on 20–21 March is expected to offer clearer decisions on these matters.