The leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) countries held a special emergency summit in Brussels (Belgium) yesterday with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to AP. The meeting took place after the news that the US had suspended aid to Ukraine raised concerns that Europe could no longer be sure of Washington's protection.
"Decisive steps"
Attending the summit, EU leaders are expected to back bold measures to increase defense spending and pledge support for Ukraine. Speaking to the nation on the evening of March 5, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that the EU will "take decisive steps." "Member states will be able to increase military spending... large common funds will be provided to buy and produce some of the most advanced ammunition, tanks, weapons and equipment in Europe," AP quoted Mr. Macron as saying. Earlier, the European Commission announced proposals to mobilize up to 800 billion euros ($862.9 billion) for the bloc's defense.
Ukrainian commander: NATO military not ready for UAV warfare
President Macron also said Paris was ready to discuss extending the protection of France's nuclear arsenal to European partners, a sign of the seriousness of the moment, according to Reuters. "The future of Europe does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow," Macron stressed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday that Europe "faces a clear and present danger" and stressed the importance of this summit in boosting European defense spending. "We must be able to defend ourselves and put Ukraine in a strong position," von der Leyen wrote on X.
EU leaders welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to summit on March 6, 2025
On Ukraine, almost all EU leaders have been keen to reassure Mr Zelensky that Kyiv can still count on European support after his row with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28. However, EU member states have so far failed to agree on a proposal by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to set a figure for military aid to Ukraine, according to Reuters. Officials have suggested the EU should commit to providing at least 20 billion euros this year, the same as last year.
The leaders are expected to call for "accelerating work on initiatives to coordinate the strengthening of EU military support for Ukraine," according to a draft seen by Reuters. In his speech on Thursday evening, Macron said European military forces could be sent to Ukraine if a peace deal is signed. Also yesterday, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the country was ready to provide intelligence to Ukraine, according to Reuters.
US move
Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe announced on March 5 that the US had suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, two days after it was reported that it had suspended all military aid to Kyiv. Reuters quoted a source familiar with the matter as saying that the Trump administration had stopped “everything,” including data used by Ukraine to attack Russian targets. As of yesterday afternoon, there was no information about Ukraine’s response.
US cuts off intelligence, Ukraine worried
Some experts say the US halting intelligence sharing will hurt Ukraine’s ability to attack Russian forces and defend itself. “Unfortunately, our dependence on this is quite large,” said Mykola Bielieskov, a researcher at the Institute for National Strategic Studies of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Andriy Yermak's chief of staff wrote on social network X on March 5 that he had "exchanged views on security issues and unity of position" with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and that they had scheduled a meeting between Ukrainian and US officials "in the near future to continue this important work". On the same day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington was reviewing the suspension of funding to Kyiv and that negotiations between the two sides on a mineral deal were ongoing.
Has Germany reached its limit on weapons sent to Ukraine?
Asked at a press conference on March 5 about the transfer of additional Patriot missile systems and other German weapons to Ukraine, German Defense Ministry spokesman Michael Stempfle said that although Berlin had already transferred many systems to Ukraine, there were "natural limits to this." Mr. Stempfle stressed that Germany needed to focus on its defense capabilities and those of its European allies, according to RT.
Germany has been one of Ukraine's most important supporters in its war with Russia, providing Kyiv with around $47 billion in military and financial aid, according to the German government. German aid to Ukraine includes Leopard tanks, Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank missiles, Stinger air defense missiles and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chau-au-gap-rut-tim-cach-tu-ve-va-ho-tro-ukraine-185250306231208536.htm
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