BRUSSELS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to European Union leaders on March 6 for standing by Ukraine as the bloc gathered for urgent talks on how to respond to US President Donald Trump’s shifting stance on Kyiv and transatlantic alliances.
The summit marks the first time all 27 EU leaders have convened since last week’s high-stakes meeting between Zelensky and Trump, which resulted in Washington suspending military aid and intelligence-sharing that had been crucial in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
“We deeply appreciate that we are not alone. And these are not just words,” Zelensky said as the discussions began, flanked by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
With uncertainty surrounding the US’s long-term commitment to European security, EU leaders face mounting pressure to take decisive action. Germany’s likely future leader has already pledged a major shift in defense policy in response to the growing threats.
“This is a defining moment for Europe,” von der Leyen declared, outlining a plan to mobilize €800 billion (S$1.15 trillion) to strengthen the continent’s defense capabilities against potential Russian aggression.
“Europe faces a real and immediate danger, and we must be prepared to protect ourselves,” she emphasized. “It is also a turning point for Ukraine. We must ensure Ukraine can defend itself and work towards a lasting and just peace.”
During the summit, leaders are expected to approve a plan allowing EU nations to increase defense spending, with Germany and France leading the charge.
On the eve of the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a solemn address urging a significant boost in military spending to confront what he called a “new era” of security threats. He also raised the possibility of extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European allies.
“Who can seriously believe that today’s Russia will stop at Ukraine?” Macron asked. “I want to believe that the United States will remain at our side, but we must prepare for the possibility that they will not.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, met with EU officials in Brussels ahead of the summit, warning that Europe must brace for a “worst-case scenario” and embrace major defense reforms to ensure its security.