A major new package of measures are being considered by European officials aimed at increasing defense spending and boosting support for Kiev as President Donald Trump pushes for a swift end to the war in Ukraine.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the plans for the defense spending increases are expected to be announced after Sunday’s German elections to avoid causing political upheaval.
A group of EU leaders has been summoned to Paris to begin the process of organizing Europe’s response, after U.S. officials made clear that the U.S. has set a limit on the actions it is willing to take in support of Ukraine.
The need to reinvigorate Europe’s military power is becoming increasingly urgent as, after nearly 80 years, the continent is being asked to take on more of its own security, having so far been largely dependent on the US.
Trump’s return to the White House has brought radical changes to the transatlantic relationship, with US officials making clear that the president is determined to let Europe take full responsibility for its own security if it refuses to boost its defence spending.
The situation is urgent because Trump is moving ahead with efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and European officials are concerned that President Volodymyr Zelensky could be pressured into accepting a disastrous deal unless they can quickly come up with a plan to give him military support.
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