The continuing war in Ukraine and the real prospect of US disengagement from Europe’s defence dominated this week’s EU summit, colouring discussions ranging from building a common defence capacity to joint weapons procurement, arming Kyiv, sanctions against Russia and managing the union’s growing debt pile.
There was a broad consensus on continuing support for Ukraine and building common defence capabilities. But there was continued frustration with Hungary’s stonewalling on aid to Ukraine, which necessitated the issuing of a joint declaration by only 26 states. It promised to “continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support.”
The EU leaders heard an appeal from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for more arms and the tightening of sanctions against Russia. The latter was backed in principle. But the EU’s foreign and security policy chief, Kaja Kallas, failed in her bid to push for a €40 billion package of military aid, double last year’s. She is now seeking a more modest €5 billion for the provision of large-calibre artillery ammunition, though this remains to be agreed.
With different views from leaders from northern and southern EU states, turning support in principle for Ukraine into a financial reality is not straightforward and nor are proposals to build up the EU’s own defence capabilities. Notably, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez pushed back against the use of the word “rearm” as a central part of the strategy and said that countries in the south of the EU had different priorities to those on its eastern flank.
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Leaders did back proposals for a €150 billion EU loan plan for joint arms procurement, which controversially restricts buying of non-members’ weapons, specifically American, but also British and Turkish, unless they sign defence and security pacts with Brussels. This is part of a drive to build up Europe’s own capabilities to produce military equipment, a move championed by France, already a leading producer.
The effort to help Ukraine continues next week. French President Emmanuel Macron said a “coalition of willing countries” will hold a Ukraine summit on Thursday in Paris, to discuss its defence, including immediate military aid, making any ceasefire work and possible deployment of troops. Meanwhile there are reports that the UK, France, Germany and the Nordics are drawing up plans to take on greater responsibilities for European defence from the US.
It is a major change of direction in Europe’s agenda, which presents challenges to Ireland, itself a laggard in defence spending. Maintaining EU unity is a significant challenge. Doing so while responding at speed in a rapidly changing security and economic situation is another.
