In Brussels, EU leaders convened on Thursday for a pivotal defence council, amidst urgent calls for action from French President Emmanuel Macron, who emphasized that Europe is at a “turning point of history.” The agenda not only includes discussions on rearmament but also focuses on how the EU can enhance its support for Ukraine following US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to suspend aid.
Heightened concerns over European security
As tensions escalate following a contentious meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last week, the significance of this summit cannot be overstated. Many European leaders are growing increasingly anxious about the implications of the Trump administration’s overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising doubts about the continent’s reliance on US support for its security. The recent decision by Washington to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine has only exacerbated these concerns.
In a notable sign of apprehension, President Macron indicated France’s willingness to deliberate on extending its nuclear protection to European partners. This statement followed a call from Friedrich Merz, a leading candidate for Germany’s chancellorship, advocating for increased nuclear sharing within Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that Europe faces a “clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime.” Meanwhile, European Council President António Costa characterized this moment as a “defining moment for Ukraine and European security.”
“We have to be united and determined to protect ourselves,” Macron stated. “The moment calls for unprecedented decisions.”
New defence strategies outlined
In her letter to European leaders, von der Leyen stressed the need for the continent to “meet the moment” and channel its industrial and productive capabilities towards enhancing security. On Monday, she announced the launch of an unprecedented defence initiative, termed ReArm Europe, aimed at significantly increasing European defence spending with both urgency and ambition.
The ReArm Europe plan includes three key proposals designed to bolster Ukraine’s support while addressing Europe’s long-term security responsibilities:
- Allowing member states to raise national deficit limits to accommodate greater defence expenditures.
- Providing €150 billion (£125 billion) in loans for defence investments across various sectors including air and missile defence, anti-drone systems, and military mobility, which would enable joint procurement and cost reduction.
- Permitting countries to reallocate funds originally designated for cohesion policy programs to defence spending.
Moreover, the European Investment Bank is set to gain the authority to finance military projects. Von der Leyen asserted that this strategic plan could potentially unlock a total of €800 billion ($860 billion; £670 billion) for defence initiatives.
European leaders have largely expressed support for prompt and decisive actions regarding continental security. Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, described the Commission’s proposal as a “fundamental shift,” while Gitanas Nauseda, Lithuania’s President, noted that the summit would reveal whether Europe could transcend mere discussions to make meaningful decisions.
Nonetheless, dissenting voices from leaders sympathetic to Moscow have emerged. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the EU’s “peace through strength” philosophy as “unrealistic,” while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban demanded that Ukraine’s situation not be mentioned in any summit conclusions. Orban, who has previously blocked EU aid to Ukraine, expressed a belief that there exists a “strategic divide” between Europe and the USA based on differing views on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As this critical summit unfolds in Brussels, UK Defence Secretary John Healey is scheduled to meet with his counterpart in Washington, Pete Hegseth, to discuss the US decision to pause intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Their discussions will also revolve around crafting a possible peace plan amid efforts to mend the transatlantic relationship regarding Ukraine’s future security.
In a last-ditch effort to promote unity before the summit, President Macron extended an invitation to Orban for dinner in Paris on Wednesday evening, immediately following his address to the nation. Macron reiterated that Europe must be prepared for the possibility of the United States withdrawing its support, emphasizing the need for collective determination in the face of uncertainty.