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European Leaders to Ramp Up Defence Spending and Support Ukraine Amid US Aid Suspension

Brussels, March 6, 2025: European leaders are set to endorse bold measures to increase defence spending and pledge support for Ukraine at a summit in Brussels. This comes in response to President Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid to Kyiv, raising concerns about the reliability of US protection for the continent.

Leaders of the European Union’s 27 countries will be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although Hungary’s refusal to endorse a statement backing Kyiv may mar the show of solidarity.

The meeting takes place against a backdrop of dramatic defence policy decisions driven by fears that Russia, emboldened by its war in Ukraine, may attack an EU country next. President Trump has insisted on the US commitment to NATO but has also urged Europe to take more responsibility for its security.

French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the French nation on the eve of the summit, expressed hope that the US would stand by Europe but emphasized the need for readiness if that is not the case. Macron also indicated France’s openness to extending its nuclear protection to European partners.

On March 5, Germany’s prospective government parties agreed to loosen borrowing limits to allow billions of euros in extra defence spending. The European Commission unveiled proposals to mobilize up to €800 billion for European defence, including a plan to borrow up to €150 billion to lend to EU governments.

Diplomats expect leaders at the summit to broadly welcome these proposals and instruct officials to quickly draft legislation. However, EU members will need to agree on the details, which may prove challenging.

Regarding Ukraine, EU leaders aim to reassure President Zelensky of continued European support following his recent clash with President Trump. However, EU members have yet to agree on a proposal to pledge a specific amount of military aid to Ukraine in 2025. Officials have suggested a commitment of at least €20 billion, similar to 2024.

The plan foresees contributions from each EU member state based on the size of its economy, amid complaints from Nordic and Baltic states and the Netherlands that larger countries like France, Italy, and Spain are not contributing enough. Paris, Rome, and Madrid argue that public estimates do not reflect the true value of their military aid to Ukraine.

The leaders are expected to call upon officials to advance work on initiatives to coordinate increased EU military support to Ukraine. However, it remains unclear whether the text on Ukraine will be endorsed by all 27 leaders due to a veto threat from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has maintained friendly ties with the Kremlin.

In a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, Orban cited “strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged.”

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