European Union Holds Emergency Summit on Ukraine

Sophia Alicea 

Staff Writer  

On March 6, Politico reported that all 27 European Union (EU) leaders were present in Brussels at what has been observed as one of the most important regional bloc security meetings since World War II. 

Following the Trump Administration’s efforts to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into Russian concession, the EU hosted an emergency meeting to address a new defense plan in Brussels, according to PBS. With nearly a century of protectionist cooperation between the U.S. and EU, the latest wave of Russian backing has shifted the international systems’ understanding of regional security. 

Notably, on February 28, the contentious bilateral meeting between the two weakened European trust in U.S. security assurances, as the International Crisis Group reported, due to Washington’s waning commitment to NATO and growing engagement with Russia. 

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU has maintained an 

unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine by offering refuge to millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war, imposing sweeping sanctions on Moscow, and providing military assistance of billions of dollars. However, TIME reports that the warm ties that have recently developed between Washington and Moscow are leading some to question the reliability of the U.S. as an ally. For European leaders, this summit was as much about Ukraine as it was about safeguarding the security of the EU in a future world where American protection is no longer a guarantee. 

EU leaders also discussed the prospect of uniting a coalition of nations supporting Ukraine without direct NATO involvement. The Atlantic Council reports that the new initiative, driven by the United Kingdom and France, has drawn interest from more than 20 countries, including Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Australia, and Türkiye. The New York Times also reported that as the Trump administration continues to distance itself from its European allies, French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed plans to move away from the American nuclear umbrella. 

The Associated Press reports that at the summit, Macron suggested to the EU that France is willing to extend its nuclear deterrence umbrella. The proposal received some support from Poland and the Baltic states. However, it was met with skepticism from officials such as Scholz, who said that NATO’s nuclear deterrence is already more than enough. 

The Brussels summit attested to Europe’s transition to a self-governing security strategy. The  

Associated Press further notes that NATO has been the cornerstone of defense assurances for the U.S. and Europe for many years. Now that a long-term defense plan to reduce reliance on the U.S. is in action, to both strengthen the continent’s defense market and guarantee that support for Ukraine will continue, the European Commission suggested joint borrowing for military spending. 

Defense News said the summit resulted in a considerable influx of military aid pledges. During the summit, new pledges were made to provide Ukraine with cutting-edge weapons, such as fighter jets, artillery, and air defense systems. Until new F-35s arrive to replace them, Belgium said it will send F-16 fighter jets by 2026. Sweden pledged up to eight Gripen fighter jets for a NATO mission to monitor Poland’s airspace, which borders Ukraine. 

The summit further strengthened the political ties that bind Europe to the very principles of Ukrainian sovereignty despite deep divisions, such as those over nuclear policy or funding mechanisms. In light of the growing uncertainty surrounding U.S. support, Brussels envisions a central role in Ukraine’s long-term security, as War on the Rocks suggested. Europe’s ability to maintain its increasing military commitments while preventing any deviation from unity in defense of Russia’s aggression will be tested in the upcoming months. 

The summit marked a turning point in European defense strategy. The cornerstones of European security policy were NATO and the U.S. for many years. Now that Washington’s commitment is unclear, EU leaders are adamant that the bloc will continue to support Ukraine while being ready to build a more independent defense line. Europe’s ability to fulfill this commitment and continue to play a significant role in shaping the course of the conflict will be tested in the upcoming months. 

Image courtesy of Getty Images.