LONDON — Europe finds itself at a crucial juncture concerning its security landscape as it embarks on a week filled with significant discussions following a recent summit in London. While the gathering, attended by prominent leaders including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was rich in promises, it fell short on delivering clear, actionable solutions.
In the grand setting of Lancaster House in the U.K. capital, a group of leaders deliberated on the evolving role of the United States within the Western defense alliance. The discussions were notably intensified by the unforeseen confrontational episode involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy, which left many European leaders questioning America’s commitment to its allies.
“There was a renewed sense of urgency” to safeguard the continent’s collective security after the shocking scenes witnessed in Washington on Friday, according to one European diplomat.
Following Trump’s harsh critique of Zelenskyy at the White House, European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, expressed concerns that the U.S. may no longer see itself as a leader of the “free world.” Although tensions eased over the weekend, persistent doubts linger regarding the reliability of American support.
Europe’s increased responsibilities
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who convened the March 2 summit, emphasized that it is now up to Europe to take the lead in protecting Ukraine from Russian aggression. His comments signal a recognition of the potential decline in U.S. involvement on the global stage. Starmer is positioning himself as a mediator between the U.S. and Europe, as Britain, France, and Ukraine begin to craft a peace plan to present to Trump — a notable shift from previous expectations that the U.S. would spearhead such efforts.
The envisaged plan includes the establishment of a U.K.-French-led peacekeeping force, which Starmer referred to as a “coalition of the willing,” paralleling the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003. However, the exact composition of this coalition remains uncertain, with Starmer revealing that several countries had expressed support for the initiative, though he did not disclose their identities.
Starmer reaffirmed that the U.S. is still “a reliable ally,” stressing the need for collaboration in achieving a sustainable peace in the region.
Critical EU meeting on the horizon
The forthcoming meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday is set to be pivotal, as it will focus on enhancing military capabilities to ensure Ukraine’s future security. Despite leading the discussions at the recent summit, the U.K. will not participate in this critical gathering.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for NATO countries to significantly bolster their defense budgets, citing that Russia has been allocating 10 percent of its GDP to military spending. Macron advocates for European nations to aim for a defense spending target of 3 to 3.5 percent of GDP, exceeding NATO’s current guideline of 2 percent — a target that many European nations struggle to meet.
In an effort to jumpstart defense funding, Macron suggested utilizing unused EU programs and urged the European Commission to explore innovative financing options, including common borrowing, to amass an initial €200 billion for investments.
As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen departed the summit, she highlighted the urgency of rearming Europe, indicating that the upcoming EU leaders’ meeting could yield significant announcements regarding defense budgets.
Nevertheless, the path forward is fraught with challenges, particularly as some leaders, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, exhibit a preference for closer ties with Russia over robust measures to fortify Europe against potential threats.
Discussions at the summit revealed that while some countries pledged to increase their defense spending, specifics on which nations are committing to these increases and by what amounts remain vague. The slow response of Europe’s defense industrial base may hinder the rapid realization of any proposed increases in military spending.
Crucially, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the potential peace plan and how Starmer and Macron intend to secure U.S. backing. Moreover, with the Kremlin opposing a NATO peacekeeping presence in Ukraine, the future of negotiations appears uncertain. Zelenskyy acknowledged communication with the White House post-summit but clarified that it was not at the