Brussels: EU leaders are holding a special summit on Thursday in Brussels to discuss Ukraine and European defense, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The EU and its member states are making intensive efforts to continue supporting Kyiv and ensuring it achieves peace through strength in the face of Moscow, especially after the shifting stance of Washington on the war following the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House.
According to Kuwait News Agency, ahead of the summit being held today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week announced a message directed to European leaders outlining a plan to rearm Europe. The plan aims to provide immediate military assistance to Ukraine and mobilize nearly 800 billion euros for European defense.
The plan includes encouraging EU member states to increase their defense spending without being bound by budgetary rules that require them to reduce their public deficit to 3% of GDP. Von der Leyen wrote in her message to EU leaders, "We are in an era of rearmament. Europe is ready to significantly increase its defense spending. This is in response to the urgent need to act and support Ukraine, but also to address the long-term need to take more responsibility for our own European security."
On Wednesday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the French people, announcing his intention to "open the strategic debate" on placing Europe under the protection of the French nuclear umbrella. Incoming German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also declared his intention to mobilize significant financial resources to strengthen the capabilities of the German army, a precedent not seen in decades.
The summit comes in the context of Washington's announcement on Monday to freeze military aid to Kyiv. The decision includes halting intelligence sharing, a crucial element that had helped the Ukrainians in the war.