The EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for a special Council on the Defense on Thursday, because the French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the continent was on the “milestone of history”.
Leaders are expected to be expected to talk about how the body can additionally support Kiev to the US President Donald Trump on Monday to suspend help in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelensky is called to the top.
The nerves grew more and more fathers in Europe Trump and Zelensky’s account in the White House last weekAnd the rhetoric around the summit on Thursday does not doubt the account of important EU officials on it.
Three years since Russian Full Invasion in UkraineThe Trump Administration killed for Russian President Vladimir Putin left many in Europe in question that continent could not rely on American support for his safety.
Washington’s decision on Wednesday To stop the exchange of intelligence with Ukraine They did nothing to alleviate those worries.
In the sign of the depths, President Macron said that France was open to discuss the expansion of protection offered by its nuclear arsenal with its European partners, during the address on Wednesday.
This followed the call from Friedrich Merz, probably the German next chancellor, to discuss increased nuclear sharing.
Europe was faced with “clear and present dangerousness in our adult life,” said the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council of António Costa said it was “a defined moment for Ukraine and European security”.
In the letter of the European leaders, Von Der Leyen also said that the continent had to “meet the moment” and “free our industrial and productive power and direct him to the goal of security.”
On Monday, Von Der Leyen announced an unprecedented defense package – called Rearmm Europe – and said that Europe was ready for “mass” strengthening its defensive consumption “at the speed and ambition required”.
Von Der Leyen said that three proposals will emphasize Ukraine and “resolve the long-term need to take much more responsibilities” for European security – the fact that the continent can no longer rely on the United States.
Suggestions include:
- Enabling countries to increase the level of national deficit for giving space for more consumption on defense
- 150 billion euros (£ 126) in the Defense Investments that could benefit EU defense in general – for example, air and missile defense, anti-drone systems and military mobility – helping the need for the cost of sharing
- Allowing countries to redirect funds intended for cohesion policy programs (policies aimed at leveling the differences between more and less competent regions) to defensive consumption
The European Investment Bank could also fund military projects.
According to Von Der Leyen, the plan could release a total of 800 billion euros ($ 860 billion; 670 billion defense) in defensive expenses.
Many European leaders signaled their support for fast, decisive action regarding continent safety.
Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Poland, said the Commission’s plan was a “fundamental shift”, while Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauzeta said that the summit would give Europe to show “Is it just a debate club or can we make decisions.”
But disagreement from certain European leaders who are not expected to be cute in Moscow.
Earlier this week, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that “peace of strength” was “unrealistic”.
And in the letter Kostau, Hungary Viktor Orban demanded that Ukraine is not mentioned in any written conclusions after the summit.
Orban – who tried to block EU assistance in Ukraine and praise the trump card for “standing boldly for peace” – said that now “the strategic division … between most Europe and the United States”.
“One party insists on the extension of the war in Ukraine, while others seeking the end of the conflict,” he added.
However, Orban opened the door for “more likely to cooperate with other leaders due to the issue of common security and defense.
While the crisis summit takes place in Brussels on Thursday, in Velika Brussels, the Secretary of Defense John Healey will be in Washington for discussions with his colleague Pete Hegsetjem on the American decision to pause the exchange of intelligence with Ukraine.
Their bilateral meeting will focus on a possible peace plan, while efforts continue to bridge the transatlantic rift over Kyiv’s future certainty.
Maybe in the final offer for an attempt and achieving unity on the eve of the summit, Emmanuel Macron – who positioned the EU’s efforts to bridge the gap between Kiev and Washington – on Wednesday night.
The two leaders met immediately after the French president gave Sombre address to the Nation in which he said that France and Europe needed to be ready if us were no longer more.
“We must be united and determined to protect ourselves,” Macron said. He added that the future of Europe could not be tied to Washington or Moscow and said that as “he wanted to believe that he would now be with our side, we must be ready to not be ready.”
The French president plans to hold a meeting of the heads of the European Army in Paris next week.
Macron said that “deciding steps” would be taken in Brussels, leaving European countries “more willing to defend and protect.”
“A moment calls for unseen decisions,” he concluded.
2025-03-06 00:34:00
