Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared on Thursday that Europe is experiencing a pivotal moment, stressing the need for extraordinary measures during these unprecedented times. She made these remarks before the start of a special European summit in Brussels, highlighting the necessity for Europe to enable Ukraine to protect itself and work towards a lasting peace.
According to Kuwait News Agency, von der Leyen underscored the pressing threats facing Europe, which demand preparedness and the ability to defend itself. She emphasized Europe's pursuit of peace through strength, noting the summit's importance in addressing these issues. EU Council President Antonio Costa echoed her sentiments, calling the summit "extremely important" and asserting that Europe's security is intrinsically linked to Ukraine's.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also in attendance, expressing gratitude for the substantial support from Europeans since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, representing the EU's rotating presidency, remarked that defending the EU's eastern border is now an unquestionable priority.
Tusk cautioned against optimism, acknowledging the complexity and difficulty of the current situation. However, he expressed confidence in Europe's growing awareness of its responsibilities. The emergency summit in Brussels, attended by EU leaders and Zelensky, aims to address Ukraine's needs amidst changing dynamics in Washington following Donald Trump's re-election.
The discussions are focused on supporting Kyiv and enhancing European defense capabilities, amid calls for increased military spending and reduced reliance on the United States. The summit is anticipated to approve a European Commission plan to bolster Europe's defense, proposing an 800 billion euro investment in military capacities.