Brussels, March 7, 2025 – European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense capabilities and maintaining unwavering support for Ukraine as they convened for a special European Union defense summit in Brussels. The summit took place against the backdrop of growing concerns over Russia’s military ambitions and the uncertainty surrounding U.S. support, following President Donald Trump’s policy shifts.
"Today, we have shown that the European Union is rising to the challenge—building a stronger Europe of defense and standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine," summit chair Antonio Costa declared.
Europe’s Defense Strategy: More Spending, Joint Borrowing
EU leaders welcomed the European Commission’s recent proposals to grant member states greater fiscal flexibility in defense spending and to jointly borrow up to €150 billion ($160 billion) to bolster military capabilities. In a joint statement, all 27 member states urged their defense ministers to urgently examine these proposals, recognizing the need for swift action.
"Europe must take up this challenge, this arms race. And it must win it," declared Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He emphasized that Europe is economically and militarily stronger than Russia, but must act decisively to reinforce its defenses.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who had recently warned that Russia poses a direct threat to France and Europe, stressed that the EU must develop autonomous defense capabilities, regardless of the situation in Ukraine.
"Whatever happens in Ukraine, we must build independent European defense capacities," Macron stated.
Unwavering Support for Ukraine—Despite Hungary’s Opposition
The summit also reaffirmed European solidarity with Ukraine, though Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a Trump ally with close ties to Moscow, did not endorse the statement. The remaining 26 EU leaders made clear that any peace negotiations must include Ukraine as an equal party and vowed to continue providing military and financial aid to Kyiv.
"We are here to defend Ukraine," Costa stated, standing alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as they warmly welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the summit. The atmosphere sharply contrasted with last week’s tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky in Washington.
Despite the EU’s commitment, the challenge of replacing U.S. military support remains significant. Washington accounted for over 40% of military aid to Ukraine in 2024, and some of those contributions—especially in advanced weaponry—would be difficult for Europe to compensate for entirely.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored the importance of keeping Washington engaged, even as Europe takes greater responsibility for its own security.
"We must ensure, with calm and strategic thinking, that U.S. support remains in place, as Ukraine still depends on it for its defense," Scholz said.
Macron added that EU leaders backed Zelensky’s proposal for a limited truce between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the air and at sea, viewing it as a test of Moscow’s willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Macron’s Nuclear Deterrence Proposal Gains Attention
A key topic of discussion was Macron’s suggestion that France’s nuclear deterrent could extend protection to other European nations—a move reflecting the gravity of the current security landscape.
The proposal received cautious support from some EU members. Lithuanian President Gitanas NausÄ—da called it a “serious deterrent” against Russian aggression, while Polish officials said the idea was worth exploring. However, some nations, including the Czech Republic, stressed the importance of maintaining U.S. involvement in European security.
Trump’s NATO Remarks Fuel European Fears
The urgency of Europe’s defense initiatives was heightened by Trump’s recent comments casting doubt on the U.S. commitment to NATO. On Thursday, he suggested that Washington might not defend European allies who fail to increase their defense spending.
His shift from staunch support for Ukraine to a more conciliatory stance toward Moscow has deeply unsettled European leaders, reinforcing their belief that Europe must prepare to stand on its own.
Europe Ramps Up Military Investments
In response to the growing security challenges:
- Germany’s incoming government has agreed to lift constitutional limits on borrowing to finance defense spending.
- Norway has announced a doubling of its financial support for Ukraine, alongside a significant boost to its own defense budget.
With the geopolitical landscape shifting, the Brussels summit marked a turning point in Europe’s approach to defense and security, as the continent seeks to reduce its dependence on the U.S. and strengthen its collective military capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.
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