EU leaders are convening in Brussels on Thursday for a special council focused on defence, with French President Emmanuel Macron emphasizing that Europe is at a "historical turning point."
Beyond discussions on rearmament, the summit will also address ways to bolster support for Kyiv following US President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that he would suspend aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to attend the meeting.
Tensions have escalated across Europe since last week’s high-stakes encounter between Trump and Zelensky at the White House. The urgency surrounding Thursday’s summit highlights the significance European officials are placing on this moment.
Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Trump’s diplomatic overtures toward Russian President Vladimir Putin have heightened concerns in Europe about the continent’s ability to depend on US support for its security.
Washington's decision on Wednesday to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine has further fueled those fears.
Reflecting the depth of concern, Macron stated in a national address on Wednesday that France was open to discussions about extending its nuclear protection to its European allies. This came in response to calls from Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor, advocating for increased nuclear-sharing agreements.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the continent was facing a "clear and present danger on a scale unseen in our lifetimes," while European Council President António Costa described the moment as "defining for Ukraine and European security."
In a letter to European leaders, von der Leyen urged them to "rise to the occasion" by harnessing Europe's industrial and productive capacity to strengthen security.
On Monday, she announced an unprecedented defence initiative called "ReArm Europe," pledging a substantial increase in military spending at an accelerated pace. The plan aims to not only support Ukraine but also help Europe take greater responsibility for its security, particularly as trust in US military backing wanes.
The ReArm Europe plan includes:
- Permitting nations to raise their national deficits to accommodate increased defence spending.
- Allocating €150 billion in loans for defence investments, covering areas such as air and missile defence, anti-drone systems, and military mobility, to enhance collective European security and reduce costs through joint procurement.
- Allowing the redirection of cohesion policy funds—originally intended to bridge regional economic disparities—toward defence initiatives.
- Enabling the European Investment Bank to finance military projects.
Von der Leyen estimates that the plan could unlock up to €800 billion in total defence expenditures.
Several European leaders have voiced support for immediate and decisive action to fortify the continent’s security. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed the initiative as a "fundamental shift," while Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda underscored the summit’s significance, questioning whether Europe would prove itself to be more than just "a debate club."
However, resistance is expected from certain leaders sympathetic to Moscow. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico dismissed the EU’s "peace through strength" strategy as unrealistic, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged that Ukraine not be mentioned in any official conclusions from the summit.
Orban—who has consistently obstructed EU aid to Ukraine and lauded Trump for "bravely standing for peace"—suggested a "strategic divide" between Europe and the US. According to him, "one side insists on prolonging the war in Ukraine, while the other seeks an end to the conflict." Despite his stance, he indicated a willingness to collaborate on broader security and defence matters.
While the Brussels summit unfolds, UK Defence Secretary John Healey will be in Washington for talks with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Their discussions will explore potential pathways toward a peace plan while working to mend transatlantic divisions over Kyiv’s security.
In a last-minute diplomatic effort to foster unity, Macron invited Orban to a private dinner in Paris on Wednesday evening. Their meeting followed Macron’s televised address, in which he stressed that France and Europe must prepare for the possibility of a future without guaranteed US support.
"We must be united and resolute in defending ourselves," Macron asserted, emphasizing that Europe's future should not be tethered to Washington or Moscow. While expressing hope that the US would remain an ally, he warned, "We must be ready for the possibility that this will not be the case."
Macron also announced a meeting of European army chiefs in Paris next week, where further strategic measures will be discussed.
As the Brussels summit unfolds, Macron assured that "decisive steps" would be taken to bolster Europe's defence capabilities. "This moment demands unprecedented decisions," he concluded.
