The recent EU summit focused on enhancing defense capabilities and support for Ukraine, though the outcomes left many disappointed. Despite a unified front on economic matters, Hungary’s veto on Ukraine support highlighted divisions. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged for tougher sanctions on Russia, but meaningful peace talks remain elusive. EU members are backing the ‘ReArm Europe’ initiative to strengthen military forces by 2030. The summit also faced unexpected challenges, including the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, which drew criticism from Germany.
The recent EU summit placed significant emphasis on bolstering defense capabilities and extending support to Ukraine, yet the outcome left many feeling disheartened and with a sense of stark realities.
Antonio Costa, the spokesperson for the leaders of EU nations, assured that the summit would be wrapped up in a single day. By late evening, he expressed satisfaction with their progress: “Today, our primary focus was on our economy,” he remarked.
The Council President, appearing more like he was on a leisurely golf trip than fresh from an intense day of discussions, had loaded the agenda with weighty issues for the attendees. Topics ranged from assistance for Ukraine and the capital market union to discussions about competitiveness, and even the upcoming EU budget set to span from 2027 to 2034 was on the table during dinner. It’s hard to predict what the global landscape will look like by then.
What we can anticipate, however, is a significant shift in budget allocations, with the EU likely reducing its spending on agriculture and regional funding to less than two-thirds of the total budget.
The EU is set to invest 800 billion euros in defense in the years to come.
Discussing Ukraine Without Hungary
Despite the summit’s initial economic focus, the ongoing situation in Ukraine cast a long shadow over the proceedings.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the leaders via video, urging them to maintain pressure on Russia and impose additional sanctions. While there was general agreement, one voice stood out with a ‘Veto’: Hungary declined to support the final declaration regarding Ukraine, leaving only 26 heads of government in agreement. This could signal a new reality of 27 minus one within the EU.
Commitment to Continued Support for Ukraine
This summit was not without its disappointments. Chancellor Olaf Scholz pointed out that meaningful peace negotiations are still a distant goal, stating they were not even close to considering any discussions. He emphasized the critical need for continued American support for Ukraine.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs representative, also faced a tough reality check. Just weeks earlier, she had boldly requested ’20 to 40 billion euros’ in aid for Ukraine from the heads of government, but ultimately returned with very little. The only assurance is that Ukraine will receive ongoing financial backing, with Germany likely footing the largest part of the bill.
Significant Rearmament by 2030
On the subject of their own security, EU members are rallying behind the ‘ReArm Europe’ initiative led by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This ambitious plan aims for member states to significantly bolster their military capabilities over the next five years. Austria, which is not a NATO member, plans to collaborate on weapon procurement, as Austrian Prime Minister Christian Stocker highlighted, “this will also help reduce costs.”
Conversely, Spain, being further away from Moscow, expresses skepticism regarding these military plans.
The shifting stance of the US on aid to Ukraine is fostering a greater sense of unity among EU nations in terms of defense.
Scholz Denounces Imamoğlu’s Arrest
While the preparation for this summit was lauded, like in any mountain expedition, unexpected events unfolded in Brussels. For instance, the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Imamoğlu, drew strong condemnation from the German Chancellor.
Additionally, Europe has postponed tariffs against the USA by two weeks in an effort to balance the product selection and minimize any adverse impacts on the economy, as explained by von der Leyen.
The risk with such a packed summit agenda is losing sight of the primary objectives. As the saying goes, after one summit, another awaits. On Thursday, French President Macron will convene a smaller group in Paris to discuss Ukraine and the future of Europe.
This topic was reported by MDR aktuell on March 21, 2025, at 07:08 AM.