European leaders pledged their continued support for Ukraine and committed to increasing defense spending in response to the shifting global landscape following Donald Trump's reversal of US policies.

"Europe must rise to this challenge, this arms race, and it must prevail," said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk upon arriving at the summit in Brussels.

Tusk emphasized Europe's strength, stating, "As a whole, Europe is fully capable of winning any military, financial, or economic confrontation with Russia – we are simply stronger."

Many EU leaders praised the European Commission’s recent proposals, which would grant them fiscal flexibility for defense spending and allow for joint borrowing of up to 150 billion euros ($160 billion) to lend to EU governments for military expenditures.

“We are here to defend Ukraine,” stated meeting chairman Antonio Costa, as he and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen, both smiling warmly, greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This welcoming atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the tension between President Trump and Zelensky during their recent Oval Office meeting.

However, decades of reliance on US military protection, along with differences over funding and France's role in Europe’s nuclear deterrence, highlight the challenges the EU faces in stepping up to fill the gap left by Washington’s decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine.

Washington provided over 40 percent of Ukraine's military aid last year, according to NATO, a contribution that Europe may struggle to replace. Despite this, some EU leaders continued to express hope, at least publicly, that Washington could be persuaded to resume its support.

"We must ensure, with calm and sound judgment, that US support remains secured in the coming months and years, as Ukraine’s defense is also reliant on their backing," said Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

However, the EU’s efforts are complicated by Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, who may veto a unanimous statement supporting Kyiv. While Orban has signaled support for increased defense spending in Europe, his opposition could hinder broader EU consensus on backing Ukraine.

NUCLEAR DETERRENCE?

The Brussels summit is set against the backdrop of significant defense policy shifts, driven by fears that Russia, emboldened by its war in Ukraine, may target an EU country next, and that Europe can no longer rely on the US for protection.

"I want to believe that the United States will stand by us, but we must be prepared in case it does not," French President Emmanuel Macron stated in an address to the French people ahead of the summit.

He emphasized that Russia has become a threat to all of Europe, a statement that sparked strong condemnation from Moscow.

NUCLEAR UMBRELLA

In a sign of the gravity of the situation, Macron indicated that France is open to discussions about extending its nuclear deterrence to its European partners.

The proposal received mixed reactions. Some, such as Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda, welcomed the idea, calling it a "serious deterrent" against Russia. Poland expressed interest in further discussions, while others, like Germany, stressed the importance of maintaining US involvement in Europe’s defense.

Former President Trump has argued that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security and warned that the US would not protect a NATO ally that fails to invest adequately in defense.

Trump’s shift from unwavering US support for Ukraine to a more conciliatory approach toward Moscow has alarmed Europeans who view Russia as the principal threat.

Reflecting the high level of concern, parties negotiating to form Germany’s next government agreed on Tuesday to lift constitutional borrowing limits in order to fund defense spending.