European Union leaders are to convene in Brussels for a summit to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, aimed at consolidating a European stance in the wake of diminishing US support under President Donald Trump.
France is poised to play a central role in the discussions at today's meeting in Brussels, advocating for robust financial and military assistance for Ukraine.
President Emmanuel Macron has been persistently vocal about the need for the European Union to provide "full and lasting support to Ukraine," and emphasising that Europe's collective security is at stake.
The EU could approve financial assistance amounting to hundreds of billions of euros during the summit.
Alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Macron is also advocating for the deployment of a 30,000-strong peacekeeping force to Ukraine. This "coalition of the willing" would protect critical infrastructure, cities, and ports – including those along the Black Sea.
Countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden and Denmark have also said they are open to contributing troops for such a mission.
However, major EU military powers including Germany, Poland and Italy have expressed reluctance or ruled out sending soldiers entirely.
Germany – while hesitant to send troops to Ukraine – has committed to ramping up military aid through financial and logistical support.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to advocate for increased arms deliveries, including additional Leopard 2 tanks and artillery shells, to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities. Berlin is also pushing for stronger sanctions against Russia, as well as seeking ways to enhance European defence production capacity to sustain long-term military support.
EU chief unveils €800bn plan to 'rearm' Europe and support Ukraine
ReArm Europe initiative
A cornerstone of the summit's agenda is the "ReArm Europe" plan, unveiled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week.
This comprehensive €800 billion initiative aims to bolster Europe's defence capabilities and reduce reliance on external allies, particularly in light of the US suspension of military aid to Ukraine.
The plan aims to provide greater fiscal flexibility by permitting member states to increase their defence spending, without being constrained by strict EU fiscal rules. This could potentially free up some €650 billion over the next four years.
The plan also includes a provision for €150 billion in loans to support joint defence projects, such as the development of air and missile defence systems.
Von der Leyen has emphasised the urgent need to rearm Europe, calling this a response to "a clear and present danger" unprecedented in recent decades.
Macron to address nation on Ukraine as most French say US is no longer an ally
US policy shift
The summit takes place against a backdrop of shifting US foreign policy, with President Trump's "America First" approach leading to the suspension of military aid to Ukraine – a move that has made plain Europe's need to act decisively in supporting Kyiv.
On Wednesday, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky emphasised the need for Europe to engage with Washington in security discussions, but also to prepare to replace American support with enhanced European security capabilities.
He wrote on social media platform X: "For 3 years, Volodymyr Zelensky and his million-strong army have defended Ukraine, Europe, and Czechia. Stopping Russia is in our national interest."
The Czech government plans to increase its defence spending to 3 percent of GDP.
European Council President António Costa also highlighted the importance of providing Ukraine with reliable security guarantees in any negotiations to end the war.
Following a leaders summit in London last Sunday, Costa underlined: "We must learn from the past. We cannot repeat the Minsk experience. We cannot repeat the Afghanistan tragedy. And for that, we need strong security guarantees. Peacemaking goes hand in hand with peacekeeping."
Any statement from the Brussles summit is expected to stress that there can be no negotiations "about Ukraine without Ukraine" and no discussion of European security without Europe's involvement.
Hungary's Orban clashes with EU leaders over Ukraine, migration policies
Divided Europe
Despite the push for a unified approach, divisions within the EU continue to present challenges.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has opposed the bloc's current strategy, advocating for direct peace talks with Russia.
Other Eastern European nations, such as Slovakia, exhibit discord over aid to Ukraine, influenced by Russian propaganda.
And for its part, Russia opposes any international peacekeeping presence in Ukraine.
