BRUSSELS — French President Emmanuel Macron is set to convene a summit of European leaders on Thursday, March 27, aimed at addressing the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the overarching security concerns in Europe, according to three officials.
This forthcoming meeting serves as a continuation of discussions held by Macron in February and March, where he gathered European and NATO leaders in Paris to deliberate on defense guarantees for Ukraine and the broader European landscape.
Strengthening European defense capabilities
The summit takes place against a backdrop of urgency as European leaders strive to enhance the European Union’s defense capabilities in light of escalating threats from Russia and significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. This situation underscores a growing consensus among EU nations to form a “coalition of the willing,” which may include additional partners such as Canada and Turkey, to bolster support for Ukraine.
Ongoing negotiations for peace
Meanwhile, discussions are also unfolding on a global stage, with U.S. representatives scheduled to meet with diplomats from Moscow and Kyiv in Saudi Arabia on Monday to negotiate a potential ceasefire agreement. This highlights the international community’s commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict and restoring stability in the region.
“The meeting will come as European leaders scramble to boost the European Union’s defense capacities in the face of threats from Russia.”