European Leaders Endorse Increased Defense Spending and Strengthened Support for Ukraine

On Thursday, European leaders approved plans to boost defense spending and reiterated their support for Ukraine, in response to the changing global landscape shaped by Donald Trump’s reversal of U.S. policies. The European Union’s defense summit in Brussels came amid growing fears that Russia, strengthened by its ongoing war in Ukraine, might target another EU nation, and that Europe could no longer rely on U.S. assistance.
Antonio Costa, the meeting’s chair, told reporters, “Today we have shown that the European Union is stepping up to the challenge, building a Europe of defense, and standing firmly with Ukraine.”
EU leaders strongly backed recent proposals from the European Commission, which would offer fiscal flexibility for defense spending and allow the EU to collectively borrow up to 150 billion euros ($160 billion) to lend to member states for military expenses.
In a joint statement agreed upon by all 27 member states, the leaders urged their ministers to urgently examine these proposals in detail.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking at the summit, said, “Europe must rise to face this challenge and arms race. It must emerge victorious.” He added, “As a united force, Europe can win any military, financial, or economic confrontation with Russia—we are simply stronger.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who had told French voters the previous day that Russia posed a serious threat to both France and Europe, stressed that this was just the beginning. “Regardless of the outcome in Ukraine, we must create independent defense capabilities within Europe,” he stated after the EU summit.
EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine, though Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban—an ally of former President Trump, who has also been cultivating ties with Moscow—was not part of the agreement. In a joint statement, the other 26 EU leaders emphasized that any negotiations involving Ukraine must include its direct participation and pledged to continue supporting the country. According to a recent draft, they reiterated their determination to stand by Ukraine.
“We are here to defend Ukraine,” Costa said as he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, both smiling, warmly greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the summit. This reception stood in stark contrast to the recent tensions between Trump and Zelenskiy during their Oval Office meeting.