May 22, 2025 12:01 pm
Full News

Europe at a ‘Historic Crossroads,’ Warns French President

European Union (EU) leaders are gathering in Brussels on Thursday for a special defense summit, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that Europe is now at a ‘historic crossroads.’

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a suspension of financial aid to Ukraine. The leaders will discuss how to support Ukraine if U.S. assistance ceases. The agenda will also cover the re-supply of weapons to Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to the summit.

Following last week’s meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, concerns have grown across Europe. Many European countries are worried about Trump’s favorable stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

France’s President Macron stated that France is ready to discuss the protection of its nuclear arsenal with other European nations. Earlier, Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for discussions on sharing nuclear security.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Europe is clearly facing a threat unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetime.”

In a letter to European leaders, von der Leyen urged them to seize the moment and harness Europe’s industrial and productive power to ensure its security.

On Monday, von der Leyen unveiled an unprecedented proposal called ‘Rearm Europe’ to bolster Europe’s defense system. She announced plans for significantly increased defense spending to meet urgent and necessary targets.

Key Proposals of the ‘Rearm Europe’ Plan:

  1. Allowing countries to increase their national budget deficit limits to boost defense spending.
  2. Providing €150 billion in loans for air defense, military equipment supplies, and strengthening joint defense systems across Europe.
  3. Permitting the European Investment Bank to finance military projects, potentially enabling total defense spending of €800 billion.

Many European leaders support the swift implementation of this plan. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the proposal as a sign of fundamental change. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda added, “This summit will reveal whether Europe is just full of words or if it can make real decisions.”

However, opposition is expected from some European leaders sympathetic to Russia. Earlier this week, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the EU’s “peace through strength” policy as unrealistic. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also suggested that Ukraine’s name should not be mentioned in any official documents from the summit.

Related News
Escalation in Conflict: Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries Amid Ongoing Drone Warfare
7 States That Could Sway the 2024 Presidential Election
UN Secretary-General Rejects Israeli Plan to Control Gaza Aid
Jaishankar on Pakistan: ‘Cancer of Terrorism Now Consuming Its Body Politic’
Professor Yunus, the Banker of the Poor and his Nobel Prize
The United States Wanted to Halt Aid for Rohingya Refugees
Related Posts
JD Vance’s Medicaid Reversal Exposes the Hollow Core of Trumpism
Tesla to Launch Robotaxi Pilot in Austin by End of June, Says Elon Musk
China Raises Alarm Over Trump’s $175 Billion ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield Plan
Trump Misjudged Influence on Putin, Says German Defense Minister Amid Ukraine Deadlock
Iran Ratifies 20-Year Strategic Partnership with Russia
Syria on the Brink of Fragmentation, Warns U.S.: Civil War Looms
More News

200 Earthquakes in Santorini: Tourists and Locals in Panic

Over the past few days, nearly 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 or higher have been recorded, according to Reuters. The famous Greek tourist island of Santorini and its surrounding areas have experienced more than 200 earthquakes, causing fear among both locals and tourists. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged people to remain […]

PM Modi Meets Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor at BIMSTEC Summit

Bangkok, April 4, 2025 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key regional issues. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, […]

Denzel Washington Apologizes for Black Panther 3 Role

Denzel Washington accidentally revealed his potential role in Black Panther 3, which he wasn’t supposed to mention. He later called director Ryan Coogler to apologize for the slip-up. In a recent interview on the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, Washington shared that he FaceTimed Coogler to say sorry, and Coogler reassured him, saying, “It’s all good.” […]

Oldest Olympic Gold Medallist Agnes Keleti Passes Away at 103

Agnes Keleti, a Holocaust survivor and the oldest Olympic gold medallist, has passed away at the age of 103. The Hungarian gymnast achieved her first Olympic gold medal at the age of 31 during the 1952 Helsinki Games and later added four more golds at the 1956 Melbourne Games. Keleti remains the oldest female gymnast […]

‘Mufasa’ Roars Past ‘Sonic 3’ in Christmas Day Box Office

The battle of box office titans heated up over the holiday season as Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King and Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 vied for supremacy. While Sonic 3 sprinted ahead during its opening weekend, earning an impressive $62 million to Mufasa’s $35 million, the tables turned on Christmas Day. Mufasa claimed the top […]

The Global Threat of Militant Islam: A Clear and Present Danger

Nafis Sadique Shatil Militant Islamic terrorism is one of the gravest threats to global peace, security, and freedom. For decades, its ideology has fueled violence, targeting civilians and undermining stability in the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond. From the streets of Jerusalem to New York City, no place has been immune to its reach. […]

Jonas Brothers Unveil First Look at A Very Jonas Christmas

The Jonas Brothers are getting into the holiday spirit with their new Disney+ movie A Very Jonas Christmas, set to premiere later this year. In an exclusive look shared with PEOPLE, the band reveals some fun details about the project, including a sneak peek at the movie stills. The holiday film follows Nick, Joe, and […]

Russian Drone Attack on Bus in Ukraine’s Sumy Region Kills Nine, Hours After Peace Talks Begin

At least nine people were killed and seven others injured after a Russian drone struck a passenger bus in northeastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian authorities. The deadly attack occurred just hours after Ukraine and Russia held their first direct peace talks in three years. Despite discussions covering potential leader-level meetings, a ceasefire, and a prisoner […]

Europe Struggles for Self-Defense

The longstanding U.S.-Ukraine relationship has fractured over the past few years. A heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office has further strained their friendship. The public fallout between the two nations has raised global concerns, particularly within the European Union (EU). Many fear that Europe could […]

 Terrorism Key Issue in India-Pakistan Relations, Says India’s UN Ambassador

India Calls for Global Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Highlights Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized terrorism as the central issue in India-Pakistan relations during an address at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) on Tuesday. He underlined that India, as a long-standing […]