Synopsis
On February 4, EU leaders gathered for their first-ever defence meeting, emphasizing military capability enhancement, increased defence funding, and stronger strategic partnerships amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.Key Takeaways
- Focus on strengthening military capabilities
- Increased defence spending by 30% among 23 EU nations
- Support for Ukraine emphasized
- Urgent need for independent European security framework
- Coordination with NATO highlighted
Brussels, Feb 4 (NationPress) The leaders of the European Union convened for their inaugural defence summit, concentrating on enhancing military capabilities, increasing defence funding, and bolstering strategic alliances.
European Council President Antonio Costa highlighted the necessity to tackle significant defence shortfalls, particularly in air and missile defence, ammunition production, and military mobility, in collaboration with NATO, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
During a press briefing, he stressed the critical need to fortify the European defence sector to expedite military equipment manufacturing.
Costa noted that defence expenditures among 23 EU nations have surged by 30 percent from 2021 to 2024, with an average of 2 percent of GDP allocated to defence.
The European Investment Bank has broadened its backing for defence financing, while dialogues regarding additional funding, especially for the forthcoming EU budget cycle commencing in 2028, are in progress.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also participated in the meeting.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remained a pivotal subject, with EU leaders reiterating their dedication to supporting Ukraine for “as long as necessary and whatever it takes.”
Costa emphasized that the EU is no longer deliberating on whether to enhance its defence but rather on how to execute it, underscoring the urgency of constructing a more capable, independent European security framework.
European nations have already increased defence spending in recent years in reaction to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the growing sentiment that they cannot overly depend on the United States for continental protection in the future.
The commencement of the EU summit was overshadowed by Trump’s announcement over the weekend regarding impending tariffs on imports from the EU, following similar measures on goods from Canada and Mexico—now suspended—and from China.
