European Union leaders convened an emergency summit Thursday to bolster their defense strategy and ensure continued support for Ukraine, as concerns grow that the United States could scale back its commitments under President Donald Trump.
Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor, and summit chairman Antonio Costa met over breakfast in Brussels to discuss ways to strengthen Europe’s security on a tight deadline. Merz has been pushing for changes to Germany’s fiscal policies to allow for increased defense spending.
Meanwhile, the 27-member bloc reacted to reports that French President Emmanuel Macron would discuss with EU leaders the possibility of using France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard Europe from potential Russian threats.
The discussions highlight a significant shift in transatlantic relations in the two months since Trump returned to office, quickly disrupting the long-standing pillars of U.S.-Europe cooperation that have underpinned Western security since World War II.
“Spend, spend, spend on defense and deterrence. That’s the most important message,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized.
The summit marks a sharp departure from decades of declining military expenditures in Europe, where defense has often taken a back seat in national budgets.
The EU will “take decisive steps forward,” Macron said in a national address Wednesday evening. “Member states will be able to increase their military spending,” he added, announcing plans for a “massive joint funding initiative” to produce advanced munitions, tanks, weapons, and other military equipment in Europe.
“Europe’s future does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow,” Macron declared, signaling a stronger push for European military independence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attending the summit, received a warm reception from European leaders—standing in stark contrast to his tense encounter with Trump days earlier.
“I want to thank all our European leaders,” Zelenskyy said. “From the very beginning of the war, throughout this entire period, and even last week, you have stood with us.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has introduced a proposal to ease budgetary restrictions, allowing member states to increase defense spending. The plan includes €150 billion ($162 billion) in loans to help nations purchase high-priority military equipment.
However, much of the additional spending would have to come from national budgets, posing challenges for heavily indebted countries. France, for example, is grappling with an annual budget deficit of 5% of GDP and a total debt burden of 112% of GDP. Other eurozone nations, including Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, also have debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP.
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has more fiscal flexibility with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 62%.
Von der Leyen stressed the urgency of action, stating, “Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe must be able to protect and defend itself.”
As EU leaders deliberated on long-term defense measures, Ukraine faced another deadly Russian assault. A missile strike in President Zelenskyy’s hometown overnight killed four people, including humanitarian volunteers from Ukraine, the United States, and Britain. At least 31 others were injured.
The attack coincided with Trump’s decision to pause U.S. military aid to Ukraine, pushing Zelenskyy to seek stronger European commitments.
Despite the urgency, Thursday’s meeting is not expected to result in immediate arms shipments or unlock an estimated €183 billion ($196 billion) in frozen Russian assets, which some EU nations want to use to support Ukraine’s war effort.
However, EU leaders emphasized the gravity of the situation.
“This is a watershed moment for Europe and Ukraine,” von der Leyen said, standing alongside Zelenskyy before entering the summit.
Despite growing consensus on the need for stronger European defense, internal divisions persist. Hungary and Slovakia have threatened to block parts of the summit’s final statement on Ukraine, potentially complicating efforts to present a united front.
“We must take action, even if one or two members oppose it every time,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda warned. “Otherwise, history will judge us, and we will pay a high price.”
While the summit is unlikely to yield immediate policy changes, a follow-up meeting scheduled for March 20-21 is expected to provide clearer decisions on military spending and support for Ukraine.
