The crisis between Ukraine and the United States on February 28, 2025 has had significant consequences for Europe’s security architecture and transatlantic relations. Developments in Ukraine have reshaped not only bilateral relations between Washington and Kiev, but also Europe’s positioning against this crisis. European countries have had to take diplomatic and strategic steps to manage the regional and global impacts of the crisis, especially in the shadow of tensions with Russia. In this context, the policies pursued by Europe during the crisis provide a critical framework for evaluating both its relations with the United States and the continent’s security perspective.
At a summit in London two days after the crisis, European leaders, Canada and Turkey, took a common position on the need to continue military support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vlodomir Zelensky was met with strong support from Europe after his tense meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that Europe must do its part but that strong support from the US was also essential, and that defense efforts must be increased for the security of the continent. The leaders agreed to continue military aid to Ukraine and to form a “coalition of the willing” to deter future attacks.[1] The UK announced that it would provide £1.6 billion in air defense missile financing for Ukraine. Starmer stated that the US remains a reliable NATO ally.
At the summit, Europe’s goal of strengthening Ukraine militarily and economically came to the fore. European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Ukraine should be turned into “an indigestible steel hedgehog for potential invaders like Russia.”[2] She also stated that Europe needed to be rapidly armed and announced that she would present a comprehensive defense plan to EU leaders.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Europe, stating, “I think it is very important that we avoid the risk of dividing the West.” Baltic leaders, on the other hand, emphasized NATO’s deterrent and the role of the United States in European security.[3] Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa reported that the United States reaffirmed its commitment to NATO’s Article 5, while Lithuanian President Nausėda emphasized the vital importance of cooperation between Europe and the United States, saying, “We must not spare our efforts to maintain a strong transatlantic bond.” [4]The summit stood out as a critical moment in determining Europe’s strategic orientation on Ukraine. The continent’s need to increase military spending and develop an independent defense strategy has been revived. However, it remains unclear whether these efforts will be sufficient without U.S. support.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would discuss with his European allies the use of France’s nuclear deterrent to protect Europe against Russian threats. As the Russia-Ukraine War enters its fourth year, Macron emphasized the need for support for Kiev and the strengthening of Europe’s military capacity. Macron stated that Europe should be prepared to become independent from the US after the US began to support Ukraine less, saying, “I want to believe that the US will stand by us, but we must also be prepared for the opposite.”[5] The French President stated that the current world order is disrupted and peace can no longer be guaranteed in Europe. He also said that the war in Ukraine has become a global conflict and brought up the idea of using France’s nuclear deterrent for the defense of Europe. Macron reiterated France’s determination to cooperate with all parties for a lasting peace in Ukraine and called for the establishment of a peacekeeping force. Another meeting to be held in Paris will be attended by the chiefs of staff of European countries.
European Union leaders are planning a special summit on security in Brussels on March 6, 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the importance of the summit, saying Europe is at a historic turning point. The summit aims to both accelerate Europe’s armament and address how Europe can provide greater support to Kiev following US President Donald Trump’s decision to halt aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also been invited to the summit.
The Trump administration’s rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised deep concerns in Europe about U.S. security support. The U.S. suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine has heightened those concerns. Macron has said France is open to offering nuclear protection for Europe’s security.[6] This is part of an agenda that seeks to further strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a major defense package, dubbed “ReArm Europe,” that aims to rapidly increase Europe’s defense spending and provide more support for Ukraine. Von der Leyen has offered three main defense spending proposals: allowing countries to borrow more to increase their defense spending, providing €150 billion in loans for defense investments, and redirecting funding from inclusiveness policies toward defense.[7] These steps aim to boost Europe’s defense capacity and accelerate aid to Ukraine.
The European Commission has announced a €150 billion borrowing plan to provide strategic autonomy and support Ukraine. This plan was presented as a loan rather than a grant. Member states have stated that they can generate €650 billion by increasing their defense spending and aim to finance €150 billion through bond issuance.[8] This borrowing has accelerated investment in the EU’s military spending. The majority of the investment has focused on defense products, with particular emphasis on air defense systems, missile technologies and cybersecurity. Although von der Leyen’s proposal provided a temporary solution in the current economic conditions, it was emphasized that more sustainable financing instruments should be created in the long term.
The summit did not aim to provide Ukraine with urgent arms and ammunition, but rather addressed financing avenues for Europe to ensure its own security. It also discussed the expansion of financial resources to rapidly increase Europe’s defense capacity, and the European Commission’s plans to provide loans to member states to purchase new military equipment. It was noted that the EU was at a weak point due to the increasing right-wing movements and pro-Russian tendencies, and that divisions between countries were deepening.
However, the biggest challenge of the summit was whether the EU could maintain a united stance. Since the EU is usually a structure where all member states make decisions unanimously, there were serious disagreements on this issue. Despite Macron’s strong call for unity, there were also opposing views among pro-Russian leaders in Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban demanded that Ukraine not be present at the summit and stated that Europe’s strategic alignment with the US was disrupted.[9] Orban stated that one part of Europe was in favor of continuing the Ukraine War, while the other part wanted the conflict to end. This situation led to a serious division in Europe’s defense and security policies.
Macron has argued that Europe must act independently of the US and Russia for its future. He had dinner with Orban in Paris before the summit and gave the message that Europe must act united. Macron emphasized that the decisions to be taken in Brussels will bring Europe to a stronger and more independent defense position.
As a result, Europe is on the verge of a historic decision due to the US’s halt to Ukraine and the uncertainty in its security policies. The EU must take rapid steps to continue aid to Ukraine and increase its own defense capacity. However, during this process, differences of opinion within Europe, especially divisions with pro-Russian countries, have hindered the establishment of unity. Whether the EU will be able to take a common stance during this process has been the biggest question mark. While differences of opinion continue among member states, the influence of right-wing movements and pro-Russian policies have put the EU in a difficult situation. The summit focused on long-term financing and strategies to increase defense capacity rather than immediate military aid. The need to follow a more independent path regarding Europe’s security has emerged and it has been emphasized that defense spending should be supported by sustainable financing models.
[1] Jeremy Fleming-Jones, “Europe must do ‘heavy lifting’ on Ukraine at ‘crossroads of history’, says Starmer”, Euronews,https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/02/europe-must-do-heavy-lifting-on-ukraine-at-crossroads-of-history-says-starmer, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
[2] Alice Tidey, “Von der Leyen pitches ‘€800bn’ defence package ahead of EU leaders’ summit”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/04/von-der-leyen-pitches-800bn-defence-package-ahead-of-eu-leaders-summit, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Lucy Davalou & AP, “Macron to discuss nuclear deterrence with European allies, says Russia a threat to France and Europe”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/05/french-president-emmanuel-macron-says-russia-is-a-threat-to-france-and-to-europe, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
[6] Ibid.
[7] Laura Gozzi, “Europe’s leaders to hold Ukraine talks at ‘turning point in history”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w14gw3wwlo, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
[8] Rob Picheta & Niamh Kennedy, “Europe’s leaders are meeting for another crucial Ukraine summit. Can they seize momentum back from Trump?”, CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/06/europe/ukraine-europe-summit-eu-trump-zelensky-intl-latam/index.html, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
[9] Lorne Cook & Raf Casert, “EU leaders to hold emergency Ukraine talks, seeking to adapt to new security demands without the US”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/eu-leaders-hold-emergency-ukraine-talks-seeking-adapt-119477946, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
