Brussels: European Union leaders have convened for an emergency summit in Brussels to address escalating security concerns after the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine. During the summit held on Thursday, European leaders have primarily focused on strengthening their defence commitments and ensuring continued support for Ukraine. European Union leaders also committed to working together to bolster the continent’s defences and to free up hundreds of billions of euros for security after US President Donald Trump’s repeated warnings that he would cut them adrift to face the threat of Russia alone. With the growing conviction that they will now have to fend for themselves, countries that have faltered on defence spending for decades held emergency talks in Brussels to explore new ways to beef up their security and ensure future protection for Ukraine. The gathering is the first summit of the 27 nations since an explosive meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, last week between US President Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. The Trump administration has since announced a freeze on military aid and suspended intelligence-sharing with Ukraine — decisions that could have dire consequences for Ukraine’s war efforts. Among the attendees in Brussels were President Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron, who in remarks on Wednesday said Russia is no longer just threatening Ukraine but is also potentially now a serious threat to Europe. The 27 EU leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their military spending. They also urged the European Commission to seek new ways “to facilitate significant defence spending” at the national level in all member states, a statement said. (IANS)
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