What is Europe Ready to Do to Help Ukraine?

What was the outcome of the meeting of European Union countries in Brussels, Belgium?

On Thursday (6/3/2025) Brussels time, Belgium, or early Friday (7/3/2025) Indonesian time, 27 leaders of European Union (EU) member states met in Brussels. They discussed the security risks faced by the bloc and forms of support for Ukraine.

They agreed on a plan to rearm Europe. They reached a consensus to mobilize approximately 800 billion euros (860 billion US dollars) for defense spending. This meeting also committed to reviewing a proposal for a loan scheme of up to 150 billion euros to EU member states for defense expenditures.

The meeting also agreed on a statement of support for Ukraine. It emphasized that Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position to secure a just and lasting peace. The statement from EU leaders reiterated the call for strong and credible security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.

The statement text was supported by 26 out of 27 EU member states. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban rejected part of the meeting's statement that supported Ukraine.

However, the EU emergency meeting did not result in the announcement of new aid for Ukraine. The reason is that Europe has already allocated a substantial amount of money to meet Kyiv's needs, even though the US has frozen its assistance.

The other 26 EU leaders agreed with the bloc's stance that there would be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and that Europe should be involved in any talks that involve its security.

How did the idea of French nuclear come about?

There are two reasons: first, because the United States chose not to become more deeply involved with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Washington wants to focus on itself. As a result, the EU cannot rely on the U.S. for their security protection.

Therefore, NATO recommends that each member increase defense contributions to 3 percent of each country's gross domestic product (GDP). So far, defense contributions are 2 percent of GDP. In addition, there are seven NATO members that pay less than 2 percent.

At an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron also proposed using French nuclear to bolster European defense. "The nuclear deterrent protects us, its integrity, its sovereignty, France. It protects us more than many of our neighbors," Macron added.

France is the fourth largest nuclear weapons owner in the world after the US, Russia and China.

How was the Ukraine issue discussed?

The situation in Ukraine was discussed at the EU meeting, but in the context of its impact on European security. Especially from the risk of Russia's more invasive behavior in the future. There was no announcement that the EU would increase aid to Ukraine at the meeting.

However, before the EU meeting, France and Britain, which are not EU members, announced they were helping Ukraine draft a peace talks proposal, which includes a ceasefire on land, sea and in the air.

Separately, Norway—not an EU member—announced it would double its aid to Ukraine, bringing its total aid to $7.8 billion by 2025.

How did Russia respond?

Moscow is furious with the French proposal and accuses Macron of trying to emulate Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1812, Napoleon launched an invasion of the Russian Empire but was defeated in the war. At that time, Russia was aided by the British Empire.

Moscow said France is now the one inflaming the situation. If this behavior continues, peace will not be achieved. "If Macron considers Russia a threat and gathers forces against us, this is clearly a threat," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Macron's remarks extremely hostile, saying Paris seemed to be considering war.

How are the Ukraine-US talks progressing?

Meanwhile, the US and Ukraine are preparing plans for talks to take place in Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff have already met.

Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will discuss a new ceasefire plan with Russia. After a heated exchange at the White House on February 28, 2025, Zelenskyy wrote to Trump apologizing and thanking the US for its assistance.

Zelenskyy said he and his team would go to Saudi Arabia on Monday (10/3/2025). He is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). After the meeting, his team will remain there to hold talks with US officials.