European Council President António Costa said that EU leaders are in Brussels to “take decisions and deliver” as he arrived at a crucial summit on March 6. 

Leaders from the 27 EU member states are set to discuss boosting the bloc’s security and defence, as well as continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. 

The summit takes place shortly after US President Donald Trump indicated the US would no longer continue to act as a security backstop for Europe. It also follows the abrupt withdrawal of US military support for Ukraine announced after the dramatic row at a White House press conference between Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. 

The summit will address continued support for Ukraine and the acceleration of efforts to strengthen Europe’s own defence capabilities in response to the sudden change in the geopolitical situation.

Speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Costa talked of an important movement “to build our own European security.” 

“[We] are here today to take decisions and deliver. I thank the European Commission for coming up so soon with concrete proposals, which gives the opportunity for us to take concrete decisions on spending better to build our own capabilities,” he said. 

“Of course the security and defence of Europe is not separate from Ukraine’s security and defence. Stronger European defence will boost European defence, and stronger capacity for Ukraine’s defence is also very important to boost our own defence. We are here to support Ukraine to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace,” he told journalists on arrival at the summit.

“This is a watershed moment for Europe. And it is also a watershed moment for Ukraine, as part of our European family. Europe faces a clear and present danger. And therefore, Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself, as we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself, and to push for a lasting and just peace,” said von der Leyen. 

Earlier this week, the European Commission president outlined the ReArm Europe initiative, intended to provide up to €800bn for defence investment. 

Zelenskiy thanked European leaders for their support since the beginning of the war, and especially during the last week.

“You stayed with us. You made a strong signal to the Ukrainian people,” he said.  

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also spoke to journalists on arrival at the summit. 

“First we’re going to discuss what we can do to really boost our own defence,” she said, adding that “all options are on table when it comes to financing”. 

Secondly, said Kallas, leaders will discuss what they can do to further support Ukraine. 

“An initiative is on the table. I hope we reach political agreement on support for Ukraine because we need to make them stronger so they are able to end this war on their own terms.” 

However, there are concerns that the summit will lead to an impasse, with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban expected to block efforts to extend more support for Ukraine, possibly backed by other Russia-friendly leaders such as Slovakia’s Robert Fico.

Orban has indicated he may block any proposals to support Ukraine that could undermine Trump’s plans for a speedy peace deal – albeit one likely to be on poor terms for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Orban in Paris on March 5 in a last-minute bid to secure Hungarian backing before the summit. 

A message posted on X by the Hungarian prime minister ahead of the summit indicated he was not keep to fall into line on the issue of boosting European defence at EU level. 

“My meetings in France confirmed that while we may disagree on the modalities of peace, we do agree that we must strengthen the defence capabilities of European nations, & these efforts should empower member states rather than Brussels bureaucrats,” Orban wrote.