European leaders on Thursday supported plans to increase defense spending and aid to Ukraine following changes in US policy. The European Union defense summit in Brussels took place amid concerns that Russia might attack one of the EU countries next, while Europe can no longer rely on US assistance, writes Reuters.
«Today we showed that the European Union is rising to the challenge, building a Europe of defense, and standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine», — said the meeting's chairman Antonio Costa to journalists.
European Union leaders at an extraordinary summit in Brussels approved the European Commission's plan to strengthen the region's defense capabilities, which involves attracting an additional €800 billion, reported Agence France-Presse.
The plan developed by the European Commission for the «rearmament of Europe» includes significant investments in Ukraine's military-industrial complex, stated the head of the EC Ursula von der Leyen earlier. According to her, the main part of the funding is planned to be attracted from the national budgets of EU countries. Additionally, Brussels will propose budgetary relaxations for EU countries increasing military spending, and will also direct funds intended for regional development to defense needs.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed extending the effect of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty to Ukraine, which provides that an attack on one NATO member will be considered an attack on all. «This is different from joining NATO, but it means extending the same guarantees to Ukraine that member countries enjoy. It would be a stable, long-term guarantee, more effective than other proposals. And we are discussing this», — Meloni said at the meeting of EU leaders in Brussels.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump announced that he is considering revising Washington's role in the North Atlantic alliance, up to the point of refusing automatic protection of allies in case of an attack on them. As reported by NBC News, citing three current and one former senior US official, as well as a congressman, the United States may abandon commitments to protect those NATO members who do not meet defense spending requirements.
«Europe must accept this challenge, this arms race. And it must win it», — stated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Wednesday told French voters that Russia poses a threat to France and Europe, said this is only the first step. «Whatever happens in Ukraine, we need to create an autonomous defense capability in Europe», — he said after the summit.
According to NATO, last year Washington provided Ukraine with more than 40% of military aid, part of which Europe will not be able to easily replace. Some leaders still hold hope that Washington can be persuaded to return to the NATO fold.
«We must ensure with a cool and wise head that US support is guaranteed in the coming months and years, because Ukraine also depends on their support for its defense», — said outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
EU leaders also supported Zelensky's call for a temporary truce between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the air and at sea. Zelensky noted that it would be a chance to test Moscow's will to end the war.
Photo: Reuters