Europe Ramps Up Military Support for Ukraine as U.S. Pauses Aid
As the United States suspends military aid to Ukraine, European nations are stepping up their efforts, increasing defense spending and strengthening ties with Kyiv. The shift follows a tense meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, straining U.S.-Ukraine relations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new proposal on Tuesday that could mobilize nearly 800 billion euros for EU defense investments, including military aid for Ukraine. "We are in an era of rearmament, and Europe is ready to massively boost its defense spending," she stated in Brussels. The plan includes 150 billion euros in loans for key defense sectors, aiming to enhance air and missile defense, artillery, drones, and military mobility.
Despite this push, the proposal faces opposition from some EU leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who have signaled resistance to EU-wide military support for Ukraine, favoring bilateral agreements instead, CE Report quotes Agerpres
Meanwhile, European leaders have rallied around Kyiv following Trump’s decision to halt aid. A pre-planned summit in London turned into a recovery session for Zelenskyy, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and others reinforcing their commitment to Ukraine. Macron and Starmer proposed a one-month partial truce, covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged a united Western stance against Russian aggression.
Some European nations, including the UK and France, have signaled readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine to uphold any truce, emphasizing the need for European leadership in the absence of U.S. involvement. However, leaders like Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson insist on American backing for any long-term security guarantees.
The upcoming EU summit in Brussels will be crucial in shaping Europe's next steps in supporting Ukraine amid growing geopolitical tensions.
