Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has sent a powerful message of confidence to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, assuring him that Europe has the strength to counter Russia in any form of confrontation.
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for critical discussions, the focus is on reinforcing Ukraine’s defenses and preparing for a rapidly shifting global security landscape.
Tusk emphasized that Europe has the military, financial, and economic power to outmatch Russia—what was once a matter of belief is now becoming reality.
A Renewed Arms Race and Europe’s Response
With Russian President Vladimir Putin escalating military efforts, Tusk warned that Europe must be prepared for a new arms race.
Drawing a historical parallel, he compared the current situation to the Soviet Union’s defeat in the Cold War, stating that Europe would now rearm itself “more wisely and faster than Russia.”
His remarks set the tone for the emergency summit, where EU leaders strategized on bolstering defense capabilities, especially in light of shifting US policies under President Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s Struggle Amid Changing US Support
Zelensky expressed deep gratitude to European leaders for their unwavering support since the start of the war.
However, the diplomatic climate has become more uncertain following his tense meeting with Trump at the White House.
In a worrying move, Washington has since paused military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine—decisions that Ukrainian officials warn could lead to devastating consequences on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, EU leaders are grappling with the prospect of a weakened transatlantic alliance, as Trump’s administration appears to be making significant concessions to Russia.
Macron’s Nuclear Deterrence Proposal
As the security situation evolves, French President Emmanuel Macron has raised the possibility of utilizing France’s nuclear deterrent to shield Europe from Russian threats.
Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor of Germany, and summit chairman Antonio Costa explored ways to strengthen Europe’s defenses with urgent measures.
Calls for increased military spending dominated the discussions, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urging EU nations to “spend, spend, spend on defense and deterrence.”
A Shift in Military Spending
The EU’s renewed focus on defense marks a significant shift from previous decades, during which military budgets often took a backseat.
Macron announced plans for large-scale joint funding of advanced weaponry, including munitions, tanks, and high-tech equipment.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed loosening budget rules to enable nations to allocate more funds toward defense, backed by a €150 billion ($162 billion) loan package for military investments.
However, the plan faces economic challenges.
Many EU countries, including France, Greece, and Italy, are already struggling with high debt levels.
France, for example, has an annual budget deficit of 5% of its GDP, while five other Eurozone nations have debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP.
Germany, with a comparatively lower debt burden, may have more financial flexibility to contribute to defense funding.
Ukraine’s Ongoing Battle
Even as European leaders strategized in Brussels, the harsh realities of the war were felt on the ground.
A Russian missile strike on a hotel in Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih killed four people, including humanitarian aid workers.
More than 30 others were injured, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to halt US military supplies to Ukraine has added urgency to the EU summit.
While Thursday’s meeting was not designed to secure immediate additional arms for Ukraine, it underscored Europe’s need to take more decisive action.
Leaders debated how to handle an estimated €183 billion ($196 billion) in frozen Russian assets, though not all nations agreed on unlocking the funds for Ukraine’s defense.
The Challenge of Unity
Despite the shared concerns, maintaining EU unity remains a challenge.
Decisions within the bloc often require unanimous support, and some nations, including Hungary and Slovakia, are resisting elements of the summit’s conclusions on Ukraine.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stressed the importance of decisive action, warning that failure to act could come at a high historical cost.
What’s Next?
While no immediate spending decisions were finalized, the Brussels summit marked a crucial turning point in Europe’s approach to security and defense.
The real contours of the EU’s next steps are expected to take shape in an upcoming summit scheduled for March 20-21.
Until then, European leaders must navigate both internal divisions and external pressures to ensure the continent remains strong against rising threats.