The extraordinary European summit opens today in Brussels to evaluate the 800 billion euro common defense plan, "Rearm Europe", proposed by Ursula Von der Leyen, in which Volodymyr Zelensky is also participating.

Support for Ukraine

There is a new momentum as regards the situation in Ukraine. EU leaders will discuss how the EU can further support Ukraine, and the principles that should be respected going forward.

In this context, they will exchange views on European contributions to the necessary security guarantees required to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine.

The EU has also adopted unprecedented sanctions against Russia: the latest sanctions, adopted on 24 February 2025, target vital areas of the Russian economy, including banking, Putin’s shadow fleet and goods and technologies in the industrial and energy sectors.

At the Egmont retreat of 3 February, EU leaders discussed how to strengthen European defence in terms of collective capabilities, financing and strategic partnerships.

Building on that discussion and in view of the urgency of the situation in Ukraine, the leaders will aim to take first decisions to help Europe become more sovereign, capable and better equipped to deal with present and future security challenges.

The EU and its member states are committed to spending more and better together on defence, and have already taken decisive action in that regard. Between 2021 and 2024, the member states’ total defence expenditure rose by more than 30%, amounting to an estimated €326 billion, which is roughly 1.9% of EU GDP.