EU leaders will gather at the emergency defense summit in Brussels as their future partnerships with us remain uncertain.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the Russian invasion was “unaware of the borders” and a direct threat to Europe as it prepares to hold emergency consultations in Brussels in the wake of the Trump administration’s stance on transatlantic relations.
“Who can believe that this Russia today will stop in Ukraine?” Macron said at an address that aired late Wednesday.
All 27 EU leaders will meet for the first time at Thursday’s defense summit since the explosive meeting of US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldy Mir Zelensky at the elliptical office last week. Trump then softened his tone at Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader’s willingness to sign a controversial mineral trade with the United States. Zelensky’s claim that instead of Washington invited Trump’s rage, Washington would provide security assurances.
Washington says that Ukraine’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in 1949 against the threat of the Soviet Union – was “unrealistic” and threatened to withdraw American troops from Europe by calling on European allies to strengthen their defensive spending.
Trump reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin without involving his European allies to end the Ukrainian war. In his statement, he blamed Ukraine on the war. This was caused by Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Washington has since stopped military aid, as well as sharing intelligence news with Ukraine, which is important for Kiev’s defense against Russia.
Trump’s Ukraine policy
Ukraine’s policy shift has led to US allies scrambling, and EU leaders have openly questioned Washington’s credibility as a security partner in the future. They also fear that Kiev and Europe’s interests will be overlooked in every contract to end the biggest conflict on the continent since World War II.
Macron warned that Europe must prepare to stand alone in the face of Russian attacks. “I want to believe that the United States will stay on our side,” Macron said. “But if not, you need to be ready.”
“The future of Europe does not need to be decided in Washington or Moscow,” he added.
Macron also said he would expand France’s nuclear deterrent to his European partners and other countries on the continent, but that decisions and controls would remain in the hands of the French president.
Other European leaders, including British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, accepted Zelensky in a weekend talk in London after the White House explosion, reaffirming their support for Ukraine.
“We are survival in Europe’s very crisis.”
At the Brussels Conference, EU leaders will reflect on the impact of an unpredictable and transactional approach to Trump’s foreign policy. Zelenskyy will also be attending the summit.
The Brussels Conference aims to solidify European support for Kiev, but this year it will rarely bring about the major announcement of the aid that the Bullock has already committed to over the 30 billion euro ($32.4 billion). EU leaders are also expected to discuss the European Commission’s proposal to borrow up to 150 billion euros ($162 billion) to lend to member states under the re-arming program.
On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen came up with a plan to “reregister Europe” a plan of 800 billion euros ($86.3 billion) and assume responsibility for the defence of the continent.
“There’s a real fear that the US could leave and Europe could remain vulnerable to Russian attacks and other attacks. Here we feel that Europe’s very survival and future could be at risk,” said Natachabatler of Al Jazeera, who reported from Brussels.
She said EU leaders are talking about “how to ensure that Europe is sovereign in terms of defense, how to strengthen and increase defence spending across the European Union and military coordination.”
Butler said he would also discuss the peace plan proposed by France and the UK. “The plan includes sending European peacekeeping forces to ensure the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine in the future.”
While Macron has not actually been discussed previously that he has developed nuclear deterrent power, “it illustrates the sense of urgency felt in Europe in terms of its own safety,” said a correspondent for Al Jazeera.
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