Facing the possibility that the United States may abandon their support under President Donald Trump, European Union leaders held emergency talks to strengthen their own security measures and ensure Ukraine’s protection. Friedrich Merz, the likely next German chancellor, and summit chairman Antonio Costa discussed ways to bolster Europe’s defenses with a short timeline. Merz advocated for relaxing Germany’s debt rules to allocate more funds for defense spending.

Meanwhile, the 27-nation bloc responded to the news that French President Emmanuel Macron would consult with EU leaders about using France’s nuclear deterrence to shield the continent from Russian threats. This underlines a significant shift in US policy since Trump’s presidency, which sparked questions about the cooperation between the US and Europe, a cornerstone of Western security since World War II.

The European Policy Center think tank emphasized that Europe must now manage its essential defense tasks due to these profound changes in US policy and the potential threat of another war. Macron stated that Europe’s future does not have to be determined in Washington or Moscow, emphasizing the importance of EU leaders being proactive. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will be participating in the summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a plan to loosen budget rules, allowing willing countries to increase their defense spending. This proposal of 150 billion euros ($162 billion) in loans aims to prioritize military equipment purchases. However, most of the increased defense spending would come from national budgets, which are already strained due to high debts.

Several European countries, including Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, have debt levels above 100% of GDP. France’s excessive annual budget deficit hindered its ability to allocate more funds for defense. In contrast, Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has more room for borrowing with a debt level of 62% of GDP.

Protecting Ukraine’s position is also a priority in EU security plans. A Russian missile attack in Zelensky’s hometown resulted in four deaths and 31 injured, including Ukrainian, American, and British nationals. Trump recently paused US military supplies to Ukraine, urging Zelensky to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, adding urgency to Thursday’s summit.

While Thursday’s meeting may not address Ukraine’s most pressing needs, it highlighted the importance of the moment

Source: https://time.com/7265141/eu-leaders-emergency-summit-ukraine-aid-defense-tactics/