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European Union leaders have convened for an emergency summit in Brussels to address escalating security concerns following the suspension of United States military aid to Ukraine. During the summit, European leaders focused on strengthening their defense commitments and ensuring continued support for Ukraine.
This gathering marks the first summit of the 27 nations since a tense meeting last week at the White House in Washington, DC, between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Trump administration has since announced a freeze on military aid and suspended intelligence-sharing with Ukraine—decisions that could severely impact Ukraine’s war efforts.
Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler, reporting from Brussels, noted that EU leaders are deeply concerned about the US potentially shifting its stance on Ukraine. “There’s a real fear that the US could step away and leave Europe vulnerable to Russian aggression,” she said.
Attendees at the summit included President Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and French President Emmanuel Macron. In his remarks on Wednesday, Macron warned that Russia is no longer just a threat to Ukraine but also poses a serious danger to Europe.
Here are the key takeaways from the summit:
‘Watershed Moment’: Defense Spending to Rise Across Europe
One of the primary outcomes of the summit was a renewed commitment from European leaders to increase their defense budgets. With the war in Ukraine ongoing and the EU looking to reduce its reliance on US support, leaders discussed ways to enhance Europe’s military capabilities. The European Commission proposed measures such as fiscal flexibility and joint borrowing to help member states boost defense spending.
Von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine—and Europe as a whole—has reached a “watershed moment.” She stated, “Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore, Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself. We have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for lasting and just peace.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also called for strengthening European nations’ defense capabilities. After meeting Macron in France on Wednesday, Orban tweeted: “My meetings in France confirmed that while we may disagree on the modalities of peace, we do agree that we must strengthen the defense capabilities of European nations.”
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden echoed this sentiment, advocating for enhanced European defense even if some member states disagree. “We need more European defense, and if one or two countries do not want to share that view, I think the others should go ahead as much as they can,” he said.
‘Not Alone’: Strong Support for Ukraine and Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy received firm backing from European leaders, who discussed expanding military aid and potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy thanked European leaders for their support, stating that it meant Ukraine was not “alone” in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
“It’s very important you made a strong signal to the Ukrainian people,” he said.
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his opposition to any “dictated peace” in Ukraine, as talks between Washington and Moscow raised fears of an unfavourable settlement being imposed on Kyiv. “It is very important that we ensure Ukraine does not have to accept a dictated peace but rather a just and fair peace that guarantees its sovereignty and independence,” Scholz said.
‘Coalition of the Willing’
At least 20 countries, primarily European and Commonwealth nations, have expressed interest in joining a “coalition of the willing” proposed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to support Ukraine. Countries like Australia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Türkiye—which has NATO’s second-largest army after the US—have indicated they would consider sending peacekeepers to enforce a potential peace deal.
While details remain under discussion, the message was clear: Europe remains united in supporting Kyiv against Russia. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, “Europe as a whole is truly capable of winning any military, financial, or economic confrontation with Russia. We just had to start believing in it. And today it seems to be happening.”
Military Aid
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced that his country expects to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2026, though delays are due to Belgium awaiting delivery of new F-35s. Sweden, meanwhile, confirmed it will send up to eight Gripen fighter jets to participate in a NATO mission to police Poland’s airspace, which borders Ukraine.
France Proposes Nuclear Deterrence Extension
A notable moment came when Macron proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrence umbrella to other EU countries. While Poland and the Baltic nations welcomed the idea, others, including Scholz, expressed reservations, emphasizing NATO’s existing deterrence system and advocating for increased defense spending across Europe.
How Has Russia Reacted to the Emergency Summit?
Russia rejected the idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, claiming it would signal direct NATO involvement in the war. The Kremlin also criticized Macron’s warning about Russia’s “threat to Europe” as “extremely confrontational.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused France of considering “continuing the war.”
Russia expert Samir Puri noted that it remains unclear what Russia considers an acceptable peace, as Zelenskyy presented Trump with a peace plan earlier in the week. “There is always a fear that this is all, from the Russian perspective, just a smokescreen for their continued desire to push forward on the battlefield,” Puri said.
What Happens Next?
While the summit highlighted Europe’s determination to support Ukraine and bolster defense capabilities, it also revealed ongoing debates over funding and strategy. The coming months will be crucial as EU leaders work to translate discussions into concrete actions, ensuring Europe can sustain its role in supporting Ukraine while reinforcing its own security.
Global markets investment specialist Huw Roberts noted that the Trump administration’s shift away from Ukraine has provided a boost to European markets. “Make America Great Again appears to be morphing into Make Europe Great Again,” he said, adding that increased military spending could have positive economic ripple effects across Europe.
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