European leaders vow to boost defense and stand by Ukraine amid U.S. policy shifts. With fears of a growing Russian threat, the EU explores joint military funding and nuclear deterrence options.
European leaders on Thursday said they would stand by Ukraine and spend more on defence in a world upended by Donald Trump's reversal of U.S. policies.
"Europe must take up this challenge, this arms race. And it must win it," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said as he arrived at the summit in Brussels.
"Europe as a whole is truly capable of winning any military, financial, economic confrontation with Russia - we are simply stronger," Tusk said.
Many EU leaders hailed the European Commission's proposals this week to give them fiscal flexibility on defence spending, and to jointly borrow up to 150 billion euros ($160 billion) to lend to EU governments to spend on their militaries.
"We are here to defend Ukraine," the chairman of the meeting Antonio Costa said as he and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen, both smiling broadly, warmly welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in sharp contrast with the clash between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last week.
But decades of reliance on U.S. protection, divergences on funding and on how France's nuclear deterrence could be used for Europe showed how difficult it would be for the EU to fill the void left by Washington after it froze military aid to Ukraine.
Washington provided more than 40% of military aid to Ukraine last year, according to NATO, some of which Europe could not easily replace. Some leaders still held out hope, in public at least, that Washington could be coaxed back into the fold.
"We must ensure, with cool and wise heads, that U.S. support is also guaranteed in the coming months and years, because Ukraine is also dependent on their support for its defence," Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
Adding to the EU's difficulties, Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, may veto a unanimous statement backing Kyiv, though he made clear he would support measures for an increase in spending on Europe's own defence.
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE?
The Brussels summit 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 and that Europe cannot rely on the U.S. to come to its aid.
"I want to believe that the United States will stand by us. But we have to be ready if that is not the case," French President Emmanuel Macron said in an address to the French nation on the eve of the summit.
He stressed that Russia had become a threat for all of Europe, remarks that drew strong criticism from Moscow.
NUCLEAR UMBRELLA
In a sign of the gravity of the moment, Macron said France was open to discussing extending the protection offered by its nuclear arsenal to its European partners.
This was met with mixed reaction. Some, like Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, said such a "nuclear umbrella would serve as really very serious deterrence toward Russia." Poland said the idea was worth discussing while others, like Germany, stressed the need to keep the U.S. involved.
Trump has said Europe must take more responsibility for its security and that the U.S. would not protect a NATO ally that did not spend enough on defence.
His decision to shift from staunch U.S. support for Ukraine to a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow has deeply alarmed Europeans who see Russia as the biggest threat.
Underlining the level of concern, the parties aiming to form Germany's next government on Tuesday agreed to lift constitutional limits on borrowing to fund defence spending.
The European Commission voiced strong regret over the United States’ decision to raise tariffs on imported steel to 50%, warning the move adds uncertainty to the global economy.
A new survey shows that trust in the European Union is at its highest level since 2007, with more than half of Europeans (52%) saying they trust the EU.
The EU is poised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 54% by 2030—just 1% short of its legally binding 55% target—thanks to stronger national climate policies, according to the European Commission’s latest review.
The European Union has proposed setting up a special hub to strengthen security and surveillance in the Black Sea, a region seen as increasingly at risk due to ongoing Russian aggression.
The EU and UAE have commenced talks on a bilateral free trade agreement, aiming to enhance trade in goods, services, and strategic sectors, marking a significant milestone in EU-Gulf relations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
Landslides and flash floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 22 people in India’s northeast, officials said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Saturday that the border conflict with Thailand “must be resolved with patience and through legal and diplomatic channels.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke by phone with IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi, warning that any political actions against Iran at next week’s Board of Governors meeting would have consequences.
Türkiye expressed deep sorrow Saturday over the devastating floods in Nigeria’s Niger State, which have claimed over 150 lives.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
An international academic conference titled "Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Destroying Stigma" has officially opened in the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing together global scholars, experts, and policymakers to address the rise and consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Türkiye’s first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, reached Filyos Port in Zonguldak on May 31.
Authorities in Whatcom County, Washington, issued a warning Friday after a truck carrying honey bee hives overturned near the Canadian border, initially prompting fears that millions of bees had been released.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
Landslides and flash floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 22 people in India’s northeast, officials said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Saturday that the border conflict with Thailand “must be resolved with patience and through legal and diplomatic channels.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
Landslides and flash floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 22 people in India’s northeast, officials said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Saturday that the border conflict with Thailand “must be resolved with patience and through legal and diplomatic channels.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke by phone with IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi, warning that any political actions against Iran at next week’s Board of Governors meeting would have consequences.
Türkiye expressed deep sorrow Saturday over the devastating floods in Nigeria’s Niger State, which have claimed over 150 lives.
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