European leaders are meeting in Brussels for a special summit on defense, as concerns grow over the continent’s security following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Europe is at a "turning point in history," as the EU scrambles to strengthen its defense and strategic autonomy amid uncertainty over continued U.S. support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to attend the summit, which comes just days after his tense Oval Office meeting with Trump.
The decision to pause intelligence sharing with Kyiv has further deepened tensions, with concerns that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself is now significantly weakened.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as "a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime."
German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has also proposed discussions on nuclear sharing within Europe, a topic that was once unthinkable but is now gaining momentum amid uncertainty about NATO’s future role.
Their discussions will focus on Trump’s intelligence-sharing freeze and a potential peace plan for Ukraine, amid ongoing efforts to repair transatlantic divisions over Kyiv’s future security.
Macron has promised that “decisive steps” will be taken, leaving European nations “more ready to defend and protect themselves” in a world where U.S. support is no longer guaranteed.
His offer to extend France’s nuclear protection to its European allies, combined with his call for a meeting of European military chiefs, signals that he sees a real risk of military escalation.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Europe is at a "turning point in history," as the EU scrambles to strengthen its defense and strategic autonomy amid uncertainty over continued U.S. support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been invited to attend the summit, which comes just days after his tense Oval Office meeting with Trump.
Europe’s Growing Anxiety Over Trump’s Policies
Trump’s overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his suspension of aid to Ukraine have rattled European leaders, many of whom fear that the U.S. may no longer be a reliable security partner.The decision to pause intelligence sharing with Kyiv has further deepened tensions, with concerns that Ukraine’s ability to defend itself is now significantly weakened.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as "a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime."
Macron and Germany Push for Nuclear, Military Autonomy
In a bold move, President Macron suggested that France’s nuclear arsenal could be extended to protect Europe, a shift that aligns with growing calls for greater EU defense independence.German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has also proposed discussions on nuclear sharing within Europe, a topic that was once unthinkable but is now gaining momentum amid uncertainty about NATO’s future role.
Von der Leyen’s ‘ReArm Europe’ Plan
Von der Leyen has proposed a massive rearmament package, dubbed ReArm Europe, which would:- Allow EU countries to increase national deficits to boost defense spending.
- Provide €150 billion in loans to strengthen missile defense, anti-drone systems, and military mobility.
- Permit EU members to redirect cohesion policy funds (normally used to reduce economic inequalities between regions) toward defense investments.
- Allow the European Investment Bank to finance military projects, a historic first.
Divisions Within the EU
While most European leaders support urgent action, some countries sympathetic to Moscow remain hesitant.- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called for Ukraine to be left out of the summit’s final conclusions and has praised Trump for “standing bravely for peace.”
- Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico dismissed the EU’s “peace through strength” approach as unrealistic.
Diplomatic Efforts to Mend Transatlantic Relations
While European leaders gather in Brussels, UK Defense Secretary John Healey is in Washington for talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.Their discussions will focus on Trump’s intelligence-sharing freeze and a potential peace plan for Ukraine, amid ongoing efforts to repair transatlantic divisions over Kyiv’s future security.
Macron: ‘Europe Must Prepare for a Future Without U.S. Support’
In a somber national address, Macron declared that Europe must be ready to defend itself without relying on the U.S..To reinforce this, Macron has called for a meeting of European military chiefs in Paris next week, as France and Germany lead efforts to strengthen Europe’s defense autonomy.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s foreign policy reshaping global alliances, the Brussels summit is expected to mark a turning point for European security strategy.Macron has promised that “decisive steps” will be taken, leaving European nations “more ready to defend and protect themselves” in a world where U.S. support is no longer guaranteed.
What Macron Said: Key Statements
In his national address, Macron emphasized that Europe could no longer depend on the U.S. for protection and must take responsibility for its own defense:He warned that the future of Europe could no longer be tied to either Washington or Moscow, signaling that Europe must be prepared to act alone:
Implying the Possibility of War?
While Macron stopped short of directly saying that war is coming, his message carried a serious warning. By describing this moment as a "turning point in history", he suggested that Europe must urgently strengthen its military because a major threat could soon materialize.His offer to extend France’s nuclear protection to its European allies, combined with his call for a meeting of European military chiefs, signals that he sees a real risk of military escalation.
