The heads of the European Union came together in Brussels for a special summit on the issue of continuous assistance to Ukraine and the future of the European defense system. This is a hell of a summit because Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s virtual presence is the juncture where the continent is dealing with its reappearing security issues and striving for further strategic autonomy.
The pace of the summit was set by President of the European Council António Costa as he claimed this was a transitional event both for Ukraine and European security. The leaders are to touch points on how the EU can give Ukraine more support and which basic rules are to be followed in their actions, for example, the security guarantees that are crucial for the sake of the region’s peace. are to be decided.
From the beginning of the military invasion of Russia, the European Union and its member states have given Ukraine and its people almost €135 billion worth of support. The large-scale aid program has been reinforced by the introduction of unprecedented sanctions against Russia, which involve closing down the banking sector, seizing Putin’s shadow resources, and halting the export of products and technologies in the industrial and energy sectors.
The summit is an extension of the engine that pushed forward the Egmont retreat on February 3, where EU leaders discussed the restructuring of European defense through the strengthening of the collective capabilities, financing, and strategic partnerships.
Today’s meeting aims at the implementation of measures that would record the European continent as sovereign and capable and restore security, being it is present and the future, thus taking favor from such a situation not to occur again.
One of the paramount issues that are to be talked about is the finance of European defense. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, suggested that the rules be revised so that the countries would be able to spend about 1.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP), which would probably be 650 billion euros in the next four years. This offers answers to the fact that the majority of Europe is convinced that there is no other way than investing in defense technology.
On the other hand, the summit is already experiencing setbacks. The differences inside the organization about Ukraine have emerged after the Hungarian and Slovakian Prime Ministers have signaled their intent to block any proposal for military aid to Kyiv. These disputes can nidus the joint reaction of EU to the conflict.
Another dimension that has made the negotiations in NATO more complicated is the shift in relationships with Washington. It was at first supposed that this summit was a rejoinder to US President Donald Trump’s conflict with Russia, however, that has been a history of its own as after the talks between the Ukrainian President and Trump, the situation even worsened.
Besides, the subsequent suspension of military assistance to Ukraine by the US has stressed the impresiveness of Europe to the responsibility of taking the steps that are deemed strategic.
However, despite these challenges, European Union leaders are believed to restate the commitment they have to Ukraine’s European future. On the 24th of February 2025, in a joint statement from the European Parliament, the European Council, and the European Commission, the Presidents emphasized that “Ukraine is part of our European family” and that “the future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union.”
The summit renewed the tension with the discussion of the wider implications of the conflict for the security of Europe. The EU’s leaders have been challenged to formulate principles that would guide their protection guarantees for Ukraine with the understanding that Ukraine’s safety is fundamental for the peace and security of the entire region.
Furthermore, the European Union has increased the budget for activities that would enhance military capability significantly. More than 200,000 hundred troops and 800 military aircraft were employed during that time. Around 10,000 soldiers were participating in exercises and operations different from the NATO forces.
The meeting will be timed with Andrius Kubilius’s term as the EU’s new Defense Commissioner, who will present a white paper on the future of European defense at the end of the month. This paper is envisioned to act as a road map with steps to follow in strengthening the defense capabilities of the EU and in coordinating the activities of nations.
While the leaders are in close communication focusing on these burning issues, all the world’s attention is focused on Brussels. The resolutions that will be given at the summit will have very far-reaching effects not only for Ukraine and the European security but also for the EU to be the global actor along with many others in the forthcoming multipolar world.
The allies and rivals will be tracking the developments of that meeting, as it is a sure sign of the EU’s determination to confront the present and future security obstacles. Europe is at a critical point in its history, and thus, the Europe leaders have to be responsible for the structure of European security measures and for defining peace in the next years.
