European Union (EU) leaders have approved a plan to increase defense spending, aiming to bolster security as US President Donald Trump signals a shift in American foreign policy, suggesting Europe may need to handle its own defense.
The decision followed emergency talks in Brussels, where EU leaders discussed ways to strengthen military capabilities and ensure continued support for Ukraine. Officials estimate that easing budget restrictions could unlock approximately $702 billion (650 billion euros) for defense efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine and the US will hold negotiations in Saudi Arabia next week. He said he will meet with Saudi officials on Monday, while his delegation will remain for further talks with American representatives.
Meanwhile, EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine, stressing that any peace talks must include Kyiv. They also insisted that Europe should play a direct role in discussions affecting regional security, addressing concerns that the continent has been sidelined in US-Russia negotiations.
Europe is facing a key moment in history.
Our freedom and security depend on a strong common defence.
At the special European Council. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/KO9PIgeBHA
— Luc Frieden (@LucFrieden) March 6, 2025
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was the only EU leader who refused to endorse part of the summit’s statement supporting Ukraine. Orbán, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a strong Trump supporter, stood alone in his opposition. The other 26 EU leaders fully backed Ukraine’s involvement in any negotiations.
The summit took place amid growing concerns over the future of US-European security ties. Trump has signaled a departure from long-standing Western alliances, aligning more closely with Russia and scaling back support for Ukraine. His stance has unsettled European leaders, who view Washington as a key security partner since World War II.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, warned that Europe faces a new geopolitical reality.
Three years of war in Ukraine and new attitudes in Washington “pose entirely new challenges for us, and Europe must take up this challenge … and it must win.”
“We will arm ourselves faster, smarter, and more efficiently than Russia,” Tusk said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who oversees the EU’s executive branch, introduced the budget plan to enable increased defense spending across member states. The proposal also includes a $162 billion (150 billion euro) loan package for military equipment, which EU headquarters will review urgently.
Zelenskyy welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that some funds could support Ukraine’s defense industry. He emphasized that Ukraine can produce weapons more affordably than other European nations and closer to the battlefield, improving efficiency.
“We are very thankful that we are not alone, and these are not just words. We feel it. It’s very important,” Zelenskyy said, appearing more confident among European leaders than during his recent tense visit to Washington, where he faced criticism from Trump.
Germany is also considering changes to its budget policies to ramp up military spending. Friedrich Merz, the likely next German chancellor, has advocated for loosening debt limits to finance national defense.
At the summit, Merz and summit chairman Antonio Costa discussed strategies to strengthen Europe’s military capabilities on a tight deadline. EU leaders emphasized the urgency of acting swiftly to adapt to shifting global security dynamics.
