European Union leaders have convened for an emergency summit in Brussels to handle escalating safety considerations after the suspension of United States military aid to Ukraine.
In the course of the summit, European leaders have primarily targeted on strengthening their defence commitments and making certain continued assist for Ukraine.
The gathering is the primary summit of the 27 nations since an explosive meeting on the White Home in Washington, DC, final week between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Trump administration has since introduced a freeze on military aid and suspended intelligence-sharing with Ukraine – choices that would have dire penalties for Ukraine’s battle efforts.
Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler, reporting from Brussels, stated there’s a actual worry amongst EU leaders that the US is altering course relating to assist for Ukraine.
“There’s an actual worry that the US might step away and depart Europe weak to Russian aggression,” she stated.
Among the many attendees in Brussels had been President Zelenskyy, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron, who in remarks on Wednesday stated Russia is not simply threatening Ukraine however can also be probably now a critical menace to Europe.
Listed below are a few of the key takeaways from the summit:
‘Watershed second’: Defence spending to rise throughout Europe
One of many main outcomes of the summit is a renewed dedication from European leaders to spice up their defence budgets.
With the battle in Ukraine persevering with and the EU in search of to rely much less on US assist, leaders mentioned methods to reinforce Europe’s navy capabilities. The European Fee proposed measures similar to fiscal flexibility and even joint borrowing to assist member states improve their defence spending.
Von der Leyen warned that Ukraine – and Europe as an entire – have arrived at a “watershed second”.
“Europe faces a transparent and current hazard, and subsequently, Europe has to have the ability to shield itself, to defend itself. We’ve to place Ukraine able to guard itself and to push for lasting and simply peace,” she stated.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban additionally referred to as for strengthening European nations’ defence capabilities.
After a gathering with Macron in France on Wednesday, Orban took to X to state: “My conferences in France confirmed that whereas we might disagree on the modalities of peace, we do agree that we should strengthen the defence capabilities of European nations.”
My conferences in France confirmed that whereas we might disagree on the modalities of peace, we do agree that we should strengthen the defence capabilities of European nations, & these efforts ought to empower member states slightly than Brussels bureaucrats. pic.twitter.com/FDdZTuOnb8
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) March 6, 2025
Luxembourg’s prime minister, Luc Frieden, reiterated the necessity for Europe to reinforce its defence capabilities, saying it ought to occur even when some member states disagree.
“We want extra European defence, and if one or two nations don’t wish to share that view, I believe that the others ought to go forward as a lot as they will. And that’s what I’m advocating for,” Frieden stated earlier than the assembly in Brussels.
‘Not alone’: Sturdy assist for Ukraine and Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy has continued to obtain agency backing from European leaders, who additionally mentioned the enlargement of navy support and potential safety ensures for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy thanked European leaders for his or her continued assist, saying it meant Ukraine was not “alone” in its battle to repel Russia’s invasion.
“It’s crucial you made a robust sign to the Ukrainian individuals,” he stated.
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated a rejection of any “dictated peace” in Ukraine as talks between Washington and Moscow gasoline fears of an unfavourable settlement being imposed on Kyiv.
“It is extremely essential that we guarantee that Ukraine doesn’t have to just accept a dictated peace however that it’s a simply and truthful peace that ensures [Ukraine’s] sovereignty and independence,” Scholz stated.
‘Coalition of the keen’
Not less than 20 nations, largely European and Commonwealth nations, have expressed curiosity in becoming a member of a “coalition of the willing” proposed this week by United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer to assist Ukraine.
Starmer stated the UK, France and different nations would type this coalition to attract up plans to supply Ukraine assist within the occasion of a peace deal to finish Russia’s battle.
Nations which have publicly indicated they might take into account sending peacekeepers to implement a deal embody Australia, Eire, Luxembourg, Belgium and Turkiye, which has the second largest military in NATO after the US.
Numerous different nations haven’t dominated out sending troopers, together with Canada, Denmark and Sweden.
Whereas particulars stay below dialogue, the message was clear: Europe stays united in supporting Kyiv within the face of Russia.
“Europe as an entire is really able to profitable any navy, monetary, financial confrontation with Russia. We’re merely stronger,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated. “We simply needed to begin believing in it. And immediately it appears to be taking place.”
Army support
In the course of the summit, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated his nation expects to ship F-16 fighter jets for battle in Ukraine in 2026. He stated the promised supply of the jets had been delayed as a result of Belgium is awaiting supply of latest F-35s to switch them.
For its half, Sweden stated it can ship as much as eight Gripen fighter jets to participate in a NATO mission to police the airspace of Poland, which borders Ukraine.
The transfer comes after Sweden suspended plans to ship its domestically developed Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine final 12 months.
France proposes nuclear deterrence extension
A very notable second within the summit got here from Macron, who proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrence umbrella to different EU nations.
Such a transfer goals to strengthen Europe’s defence place. Nevertheless, it was met with combined reactions. Whereas some leaders welcomed the concept, others expressed considerations about nuclear coverage complexities throughout the EU.
Poland and the Baltic nations welcomed Macron’s proposal.
Scholz expressed reservations, emphasising NATO’s current deterrence system and advocating for elevated defence spending throughout Europe as an alternative.
Requested to touch upon France’s provide, Scholz stated: “What now we have when it comes to nuclear involvement, … I don’t suppose that must be given up.”
Regardless of the robust assist for ramping up defence capabilities, divisions remained over how you can fund Europe’s elevated defence efforts. Some nations, together with Hungary, have voiced scepticism about joint financing plans and proposed defence commitments.
How has Russia reacted to the emergency summit?
Russia, in the meantime, stated it could not settle for the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, claiming that will sign direct NATO involvement within the battle.
The Kremlin additionally strongly decried as “extraordinarily confrontational” Macron’s warning on Wednesday about what he referred to as Russia’s “menace to Europe” and the necessity for unity.
His speech indicated that France is considering “persevering with the battle”, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov stated.
Samir Puri, a Russia skilled at Chatham Home, stated it stays unclear what Russia considers to be “an appropriate peace” to finish the battle as Zelenskyy instructed Trump on Tuesday that he was prepared to debate phrases and put ahead a top level view of a plan for peace.
“All we hear is … there’s a robust Russian opposition of the concept of NATO nations being concerned in a stabilisation drive or peacekeeping drive” as Russian forces are nonetheless making an attempt to grab territory, Puri instructed Al Jazeera.
“There’s at all times a worry that that is all, from the Russian perspective, only a very handy means of offering a smokescreen for his or her continued need to push ahead on the battlefield,” he stated.
In remarks on Wednesday to girls who misplaced relations within the battle, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his nation ought to select a peace in Ukraine that may make sure the long-term safety of Russia and its sustainable improvement.
“We should select for ourselves a peace choice that may swimsuit us and that may guarantee peace for our nation in the long run,” Putin stated. “We don’t want anything, however we received’t quit our personal,” he added.
What occurs subsequent?
Whereas the summit underscored Europe’s willpower to assist Ukraine and increase its defence capabilities, it additionally revealed ongoing debates over funding and strategic course.
The approaching months shall be important as EU leaders work to maneuver these discussions into concrete actions, making certain Europe can maintain its position in supporting Ukraine whereas reinforcing its personal safety, specialists stated.
Huw Roberts, a worldwide markets funding specialist, stated the Trump administration’s shift away from Ukraine has supplied a lift to European markets. He stated that though, for now, Europe’s focus is on navy spending, that may result in “multiplier results”.
“Make America Nice Once more seems to be morphing into Make Europe Nice Once more,” he instructed Al Jazeera, referring to Trump’s marketing campaign slogan. “And I don’t suppose we will understate simply how large a shift we’ve seen within the final couple of weeks when it comes to the European coverage response to this new safety state of affairs.
“Clearly, it’s a horrible story within the broader context, however from a pure financial and funding perspective, all these billions of additional spending will ripple out and must be growth-positive for Europe on the broader degree.”
