European leaders are facing a harsh new age with less cooperation from the US, a stronger danger from Russia, and a more uncertain prospect for Ukraine. They will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss what they should do about it.
They will have to walk a tight line between supporting Ukraine and strengthening their own defenses while without alienating their volatile partners in Washington.
The specifically summoned and greatly anticipated event will feature the heads of state or government from the European Union's 27 member countries, and it is the latest in a series of swiftly scheduled defense summits.
They are scheduled to debate how to fund an increase in European military spending, with the goal of better arming the continent to deal with Russia without relying on NATO. They will also discuss what a peace plan for Ukraine would look like and how they might support it.
In some respects, the summit represents the beginning of a new era for the European Union. Founded to promote cooperation and peace, the bloc is being forced to consider its purpose in a globe riven by war and enmity, even among allies.
"There's clearly a sense that, in times like this, Europe needs to prepare for the worst," said Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel.
In less than two months, President Trump has transformed European security. He is seeking immediate peace in Ukraine and has pushed President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate by publicly berating him and suspending aid to his troubled country. He initiated discussions with Russia without directly addressing Europe or Ukraine.
At the same time, he has argued that European states should spend more on their own defense, accusing members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of paying too little to protect themselves under a "unfair" system.
That one-two punch, along with the unfortunate meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky last week, has compelled European leaders to act with renewed haste.
Following the breakdown between the two presidents, Mr. Zelensky suggested a course of action on Tuesday that he claimed may terminate the war in an attempt to placate Mr. Trump. He did so after days of counseling from the leaders of France and Britain, and while that outreach appeared to be warmly received by Mr. Trump, it is unclear what will happen next.
It is unclear how the EU will support such a partnership. What is evident is that the bloc wishes to participate in discussions on the continent's future.
On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would discuss with European allies the prospect of utilizing France's nuclear deterrent to protect the continent in the face of Russian threats.
According to a European Union official, numerous non-EU countries, including the United Kingdom, Norway, and Turkey, will be briefed by top EU officials following the Thursday summit, indicating that Europe is coming together further.
Mr. Zelensky has been invited to the meeting and is expected to attend, according to another EU source, though his office declined to comment on the impending event.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal issues.
Despite greater cooperation among nations, the union continues to struggle to speak with one voice on Ukraine, at a time when Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, has been outspoken in his support for Mr. Trump and disagreement with his European counterparts on Ukraine.
The discussions on Thursday are anticipated to extend beyond Ukraine's problems and focus on how Europe might better safeguard itself as a whole.
Among other things, leaders are likely to discuss an innovative strategy revealed this week by Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU's executive department.
What she refers to as a "re-arm" proposal for Europe would establish a 150 billion euro loan program for defense expenditure while making EU budget rules more flexible, allowing countries to invest more without violating strict deficit targets. Overall, officials believe that it might enhance security spending by up to 800 billion euros.
As she introduced the recommendations on Tuesday, Ms. von der Leyen emphasized their significance: "We are living in the most momentous and dangerous of times."
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