European leaders convening an emergency meeting in Brussels are anticipated to reach an agreement to significantly increase defense spending. This move comes amid a push to strengthen support for Ukraine, following the suspension of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing by Donald Trump.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, initially scheduled to join via video link, expressed gratitude, saying, “We are very thankful that we are not alone.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will propose an €800bn plan to boost European defense spending, emphasized that it is “a watershed moment for Europe” and for Ukraine.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen set the tone for the meeting, saying, “Spend, spend, spend on defense and deterrence. That is the most important message. At the same time, of course, continue to support Ukraine, because we want peace in Europe.”

The unity of the leaders could be jeopardized by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has threatened to veto an EU text on Ukraine if it seeks to push back against Donald Trump’s proposal for a peace deal with Vladimir Putin that marginalizes Europe.

The EU special summit was called in response to Trump’s direct diplomacy with the Russian president, before his controversial interaction with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office and the halt of U.S. military aid.

EU leaders are expected to endorse the €800bn plan to “rearm Europe” presented by Von der Leyen. The latest draft of the conclusions states, “Europe must become more sovereign, more responsible for its own defense, and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats.”

Before the summit, Orbán sparked outrage by calling for the EU to follow Trump and engage in direct peace talks with Putin. The Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda suggested exploring alternative decision-making methods, as the inability to act swiftly could lead to historical repercussions.

Notably absent from the EU draft are proposals for eurobonds, despite ongoing discussions despite Germany’s opposition. A senior EU official stated, “The European Union will truly turn a page on a Europe of defense. Is this the end of the story? No, I don’t think so.”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/06/watershed-moment-eu-leaders-close-to-agreeing-800bn-defence-plan-ukraine