European Union leaders converged on Brussels on March 20 and 21, 2025, for a crucial summit aimed at reinforcing collective support for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions with Russia and addressing the competitive viability of the EU economy.
The agenda of the two-day meeting also encompasses discussions on the military operations in Gaza as well as deliberations regarding the upcoming long-term EU budget. Expectations for substantial decisions from the 27 EU leaders are, however, low.
Representing Romania is interim President Ilie Bolojan, who joins fellow leaders as they collectively navigate pressing global issues.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa underlined the importance of ongoing support for Ukraine. She expressed a desire to hear from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about plans to enhance European defense capabilities, emphasizing that the enhancement of defensive readiness is just a preliminary step.
Siliņa also mentioned the need to alleviate bureaucratic burdens that hinder member states from escalating military preparedness to face the rising threat from Russia. Her comments follow a productive phone conversation between Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and Donald Trump, which she described as a fruitful negotiation.
Further intensifying the conversation, Siliņa called attention to some European nations that have not yet met the NATO guideline of spending 2% of their GDP on defense. This lack of compliance poses a challenge to the collective defense goals of the EU.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof arrived at the summit early and faced questions regarding defense expenditures and his stance on a potential ceasefire proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Schoof dismissed Russia’s demand for European nations to cease providing military aid to Ukraine, stating that such a measure was “not an option.” He reinforced the Netherlands' commitment to EU initiatives while expressing an interest in investing directly in the Ukrainian defense industry.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shared insights with the media prior to attending the Brussels summit, highlighting this meeting as pivotal for addressing European unity against Russia's aggression. Tusk referenced Poland's historic warnings about Russian threats, expressing hope that Europe is finally uniting against these challenges.
Tusk also urged President Andrzej Duda to advance immigration and asylum legislation, emphasizing the need for the government to temporarily suspend asylum applications to deal with increasing pressure at the Polish border with Belarus.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas expressed optimism that Ukraine would secure a commitment for two million artillery shells to bolster its defenses, following a period where insufficient military support was provided.
During the summit, leaders will hear directly from Zelenski, who is set to present an unfiltered outlook on his recent conversation with Trump, including details about a possible limited ceasefire.
Zelenski reiterated his team’s intent to compile a list of military installations that could potentially be involved in a ceasefire, while also indicating discussions with Trump centered around the U.S. taking ownership of the Russian-occupied Zaporojie nuclear power plant.
Notably, while the European leaders are engaged in discussions, attention will also shift to the UK where Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene around 30 military leaders to formulate plans for broader coalition efforts against Russia.
Before the summit’s lunch session, leaders including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will join discussions, extending the circle of dialogue to encompass key figures in international governance.
On the previous evening, Zelenski reflected on his conversations with Trump, conveying that he did not feel pressured and described the interaction as fruitful. He remarked on plans to discuss the ceasefire and how it could involve a moratorium on attacks against energy facilities, emphasizing the importance of having a list of installations for upcoming negotiations.
In a world where the dynamics of power continue to shift, the unfolding events in Brussels provide a strategic vantage point to understand EU sentiments towards support for Ukraine and the ongoing tensions with Russia.
As the summit concludes, deliberations regarding emerging threats to European unity and defense continue to be of paramount importance for the leaders gathered in Brussels.
