On Monday in Brussels, leaders from the European Union met with the British Prime Minister and NATO’s chief to talk about making Europe safer from Russia’s aggressive actions. This is the first time in two years that all 27 EU leaders have come together since the U.S. election, their first talk solely about defense, and the first meeting with a British leader since Brexit.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago, European countries have been increasing their military spending. However, officials admit they still need to do more because there are fears that Russia might attack a European nation soon.
Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, is back and is pushing Europeans to spend more on their defense, suggesting they should spend 5% of their GDP — a big jump from what many are currently spending. This has raised concerns that he may negotiate a quick end to the war in Ukraine that could harm Europe’s interests.
There are worries about Trump making threats against European nations, like wanting Greenland and imposing tariffs. Denmark’s Prime Minister, who recently visited several countries, is expected to discuss these issues and work toward a common response.
Despite the threat from Russia making it clear that investing in defense is crucial, EU countries still have various disagreements. They need to figure out how to fund this increased investment — with estimates showing Europe would need around 500 billion euros in the next decade. Some countries want to borrow money as a group, but Germany has tried to avoid this sensitive topic.
When it comes to buying weapons, France believes purchases should be made within the EU, while other countries think buying from the U.S. might be quicker. The relationship with NATO is also being discussed, as some EU members think they should help set defense goals.
As concerns grow about ties with the U.S., leaders are eager to strengthen cooperation with the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK will attend a dinner with EU leaders, advocating for continued pressure on Russia and discussing a potential UK-EU defense deal. However, issues like fishing rights and a youth mobility scheme proposed by the EU still need to be resolved before significant progress can be made.
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