EU leaders are facing one of the biggest challenges in the group's history, as Russia's aggressive Russia shrouds the East, while US support swings from the West.
On Thursday, they promised to face the challenge.
Leaders gathered at a specially convened meeting in Brussels to discuss how Europe’s own defense and its support for Ukraine can be strengthened on a huge bet. They must figure out how to achieve these goals without further alienating Washington's violent allies. Meanwhile, they are also working to maintain a unified front due to Hungary’s key notion of Ukraine.
Officials attending the meeting said their commitment to reaching a strong peace agreement for Ukraine and providing a more independent future for European defense expresses a new sense of urgency.
“Europe is facing obvious danger,” said Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive branch, as he walked into the party with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is even blunt.
“This is damn time,” she said. “We are going to put the money in our mouths.”
Particularly known as the well-known gathering includes state or government leaders from 27 EU member states and is the latest in a series of fast-arranged summits focused on defense.
Leaders are discussing options for fundraising for European military spending, including a new plan that will provide 150 billion euros (about $160 billion) to fund investments in missile defense, anti-UAV systems and other key defense technologies. The overall goal is to make the continent deal with Russia without substitutes from all over the Atlantic.
European countries are also reviewing the appearance of Ukraine’s peace plan and how they support it economically and possibly forces – Russia’s proposal was once again clearly rejected on Thursday. As the United States makes a sharp turn to Russia, these countries are scrambling to express their support for the embattled nation and its leaders.
“We are not alone, we are not alone,” Mr Zelensky said on the meeting venue Thursday.
In some ways, the gathering begins a new chapter in the EU. The groups created to promote cooperation and peace are forced to think about their in a world of conflict and hostility, even among allies.
The pressing question is that the EU's consensus-centric, clumsy structure can adapt to itself quickly enough to ensure that Europe will not be abandoned as President Trump quickly changes the global order.
“Now, most importantly, to be frank and frank about Europe, I don't think we have a lot of time,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters during a meeting. “Flowers, flowers, flowers are on defense and deterrence.”
In less than two months, Mr. Trump has changed the landscape in terms of security in Europe. He demanded a swift peace in Ukraine and promoted Mr. Zelensky's negotiations by publicly condemning him and cessing aid to the state. He held talks with Russia without directly involving Europe or Ukraine. At the same time, he attacked other European countries because they paid too little to protect themselves in the “unfair” system.
“Sir. Trump, he's full of surprises – this is a bad surprise for us,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever told reporters on Thursday.
Most of Europe is now performing in Ukraine: Britain and France say they are willing to send troops as peacekeeping forces if an agreement is reached, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls for support to the “coalition of willingness.”
British officials said the UK convened a meeting on Wednesday for officials from 20 countries, many of them Europeans, to discuss military and non-military donations to such alliances.
However, Russia rejected the idea of Ukrainian European peacekeeping forces. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov said Thursday there is no “room to compromise” on the issue and Russia does not allow it.
Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow that Russia would deploy such troops on Ukrainian territory “just like we exist in the same NATO in the country.”
He added: “We will not only observe such actions.”
It is still unclear how the EU adapts to such a coalition, and this was discussed on Thursday.
Generally speaking, Ukraine’s support may not be consistent. Asked if Europe would unite Ukraine, Mr. De Weaver said: “We are quite sure of the status of the 25 partners.”
Officials have been working hard on Hungary and have brought Slovakia into the statement in support of the statement. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a special voice in praising Mr. Trump and his disagreements with his European colleagues.
But Mr De Wever added: “There is also the UK, Canada and other partners who can join our pro-Ukrainian coalition and we need to form if we are to respond to the new order created by Mr. Trump.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that he would talk to European allies about the possibility of using French nuclear deterrence to protect the African continent after Russia is threatened.
Several countries outside the European Union, including the United Kingdom, Norway and Turkey, are expected to present in several countries outside the European Union after the EU meeting on Thursday, according to EU officials.
Senior EU diplomats said while EU officials have been discussing further aid from Ukraine, plans to provide new money to Ukraine are unlikely to be finalized on Thursday.
But Thursday’s discussions may provide a clearer plan for how Europe can better protect its overall plan.
Ms. Von der Leyen's “reinstallation” plan for Europe, including a €150 billion loan plan, will also make EU budget rules more flexible to allow countries to invest more without violating severe deficit restrictions.
Part of the purpose was to help “Ukraine’s struggle for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Ivan Nechepurenko and Marc Santora Contribution report.
