EU leaders seek to strengthen military capacity as US support dips under Trump

European Union leaders gathered for an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss how to bolster their collective defence capabilities and ensure continued support for Ukraine amid growing concerns that the United States might reduce its security backing under President Donald Trump's administration.

The summit, held in Brussels, came as EU leaders recognized the urgent need to address both internal security and external threats, especially from Russia.

Global security landscape
The meeting underscored the dramatic shift in the international security environment since Trump took office, with the US reevaluating its role in Europe’s defence, a cornerstone of Western security since World War II. European leaders are now facing the reality that they may need to take on more responsibility for their own defence.

Friedrich Merz, a key figure in Germany’s political landscape and likely to become the country’s next chancellor, and summit chair Antonio Costa, discussed strategies to enhance Europe’s defence within a tight timeframe. Merz has been advocating for looser fiscal rules to allow Germany to increase its defence spending.

Macron’s Proposal
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is actively leading EU defence discussions, suggested the possibility of using France’s nuclear deterrent to protect Europe from Russian aggression. Macron emphasized that the EU must act decisively to safeguard its future without depending on the US or Russia. In a national address, Macron declared that EU member states would be able to boost their military spending through joint funding, aimed at purchasing advanced military equipment such as tanks and weapons.

"Europe's future does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow," Macron stated, reinforcing the EU's push for greater autonomy in defence matters.

Financial constraints
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented a proposal to relax EU budgetary rules, allowing member states to significantly increase defence spending. Under her plan, 150 billion euros ($162 billion) would be allocated in loans to help countries purchase key military equipment. However, the proposal comes at a time when many EU countries, such as France, Italy, and Spain, are already facing high debt levels, exacerbated by pandemic relief measures and the energy crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine defence
Alongside discussions on EU defence, the summit also focused on securing continued support for Ukraine, which faces increasing Russian missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the summit, underscoring the urgency of reinforcing Ukraine’s defence capabilities. The recent Russian missile strike on a hotel in Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, which killed four people, highlighted the ongoing dangers the country faces.

Earlier this week, President Trump ordered a halt to US military supplies to Ukraine, demanding that Zelenskyy engage in negotiations to end the war with Russia. This development brought added urgency to the summit discussions, although the meeting was not expected to resolve immediate shortages of arms or military supplies for Ukraine.

Challenges to EU unity
While European leaders have acknowledged the immediate threats facing the continent, the biggest challenge remains achieving consensus within the fractured EU. Hungary has already threatened to veto part of the summit's statement on Ukraine, highlighting the difficulty in reaching unanimous support on key issues.

Despite these challenges, the EU remains committed to strengthening its defence posture. Von der Leyen warned that Europe faces a "clear and present danger" on a scale unseen in decades, stressing the need for decisive action. However, the summit is unlikely to deliver immediate, concrete decisions on military spending or aid to Ukraine. A follow-up EU summit, scheduled for March 20-21, will likely offer more clarity on the bloc’s defence and security strategies moving forward.