European leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss increasing defence spending and pledging continued support for Ukraine. This comes after the US President Donald Trump froze military aid to Ukraine, raising concerns that Europe can no longer rely on US protection.
During the summit, leaders from the 27 EU countries will be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Hungary has refused to support a statement backing Ukraine, which may affect the unity of the discussions.
The meeting is happening amid rising fears that Russia, after its actions in Ukraine, could target another European country. European leaders are now questioning whether they can still depend on the US for military support.
Although Trump has reiterated his commitment to NATO, he also emphasized that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. His shift in stance from strong US support for Ukraine to a more conciliatory approach with Russia has left many European leaders worried.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is ready to consider extending its nuclear protection to other European countries, showing the seriousness of the situation. Additionally, Germany’s upcoming government is expected to loosen borrowing limits to allow more funds for defence.
