EU Leaders Back Historic Rearmament Plan for Ukraine
BRUSSELS – The European Union is set to embark on a significant rearmament initiative aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities while reducing reliance on the United States. During an emergency EU summit held in Brussels, leaders expressed overwhelming support for the ambitious €800 billion ReArm Europe plan, as outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This effort is a direct response to Russia’s ongoing aggression and the perceived disengagement of the US from European security matters.
“In extraordinary times, we need special measures,” von der Leyen stated, standing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who participated in the summit. “Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe must be capable of protecting and defending itself.”
Zelensky expressed his gratitude to European leaders for their steadfast support during challenging times, particularly as the US administration has faced criticism for its handling of Ukraine. “Throughout this period, and especially last week, you stood by us,” he remarked. “We are not alone, and these are not just empty words; we truly feel it.”
This summit follows a dramatic shift in the geopolitical landscape, marked by US President Donald Trump withdrawing support for Ukraine and undermining NATO, which has shaken the foundations of transatlantic security. In response, European nations are willing to reconsider long-held principles regarding defense spending, dismantling previous restrictions that hindered military enhancements while issuing stark warnings about the US as an unreliable ally. “Today marks a turning point, where we may witness a fundamental change in Europe’s commitment to rearmament,” stated Polish President Donald Tusk. “The new stance of the American administration towards Europe and the arms race ignited by Russia presents us with unprecedented challenges.”
The summit’s urgency is underscored by the rapid pace at which the EU is moving to allocate financial resources for defense. “We need to rearm Europe, and time is of the essence,” asserted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. “The priority now is to enhance Europe’s military capabilities.”
The Commission’s ReArm Europe initiative encompasses a comprehensive package of measures, including:
- Loan schemes to facilitate defense investments
- Relaxation of EU fiscal rules to allow increased defense spending
- Redirection of regional grants towards military enhancements
The European defense agenda gained further momentum this week with a coalition agreement from Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, who proposed significant increases in defense spending amounting to €400 billion, effectively dismantling the country’s borrowing limits. Although Merz was not present at the summit, his initiative is expected to encourage other nations to increase their defense budgets.
In light of Trump’s announcement regarding the rollback of legal protections for approximately 240,000 Ukrainian refugees, EU countries are preparing to offer refuge to any deportees. Although discussions on specific military support for Ukraine were not on the formal summit agenda, leaders were anticipated to engage informally about the proposed European Sky Shield initiative, which includes a plan for 120 fighter jets to shield Ukraine from Russian assaults. Furthermore, they were expected to deliberate on French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposition to extend France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard against Russian threats—a proposal that received support from Tusk and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, who described it as a “very interesting idea.”
Nausėda also urged the EU to expedite filling the funding void for Ukraine created by the US withdrawal. “Ukraine is buying us time with their blood,” he stressed, advocating for a commitment to support Ukraine’s ambition of joining the EU by 2030.
The draft conclusions of the summit do not explicitly mention the Trump administration’s withdrawal from Europe but instead emphasize that “Europe must become more sovereign, take greater responsibility for its own defense, and be better equipped to address immediate and future challenges and threats.” The document also asserts that no peace or ceasefire negotiations regarding Ukraine should occur without Ukraine’s involvement and that any resulting agreement must include “robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine.”
Despite some objections from Russia’s closest allies within the EU, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who expressed reservations about further support for Ukraine, the majority are expected to move forward. Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden emphasized the need for unity, stating, “We are living in historic times and should be more united than ever. If some do not share this view, the rest must proceed.”
