WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
Choose language:
Author: M.J. GDNUS
The leaders of the European Union member states supported today the plans to increase defense spending and pledged to continue supporting Ukraine in a world reshaped by Donald Trump’s return to the position of U.S. President.
They praised the proposals from the European Commission, which provide fiscal flexibility for defense spending and the possibility of joint borrowing up to 150 billion euros to lend to EU governments for their military expenses.
They also expressed support for Ukraine, but the statement was adopted without Hungary’s nationalist leader Viktor Orban, a Trump ally.
In the joint statement, the remaining 26 EU leaders emphasized that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, promising to continue providing support, according to a recent draft.
**11:01 PM EU Diplomat: Ukraine Discussion Lasted "15 Minutes"**
A European diplomat, speaking anonymously, told Euronews that the discussion on Ukraine lasted no more than 15 minutes.
This discussion led to the adoption of conclusions by 26 member states, all except Hungary. Hungary’s opposition to the renewed pressure for support for Ukraine had been well known even before today’s meeting. The Hungarian prime minister is closely aligned with Trump’s views and has called on the EU to follow the example of the U.S. president and directly enter into peace negotiations.
**10:55 PM Stoker: America is Europe's Partner, and I Assume It Will Remain So**
The EU will continue to need "good transatlantic relations" despite the "shadow" cast on these ties, said Austria's new Chancellor, Kristian Stoker, who took the oath on Monday.
He told reporters after the summit that both the U.S. and Europe "can benefit from good transatlantic relations."
"Ultimately, an independent, free, and sovereign Ukraine is in the interest of both the U.S. and Europe," added Stoker.
"It needs to be understood that we will need good transatlantic relations as before. There are some tensions now, but I wouldn’t dramatize it too much, and we should look at it calmly. America is Europe's partner, and I assume it will remain so," he said.
**9:45 PM European Council Conclusions – March 6, 2025**
1. The European Council held an exchange of views with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine.
2. The European Council considered the latest developments regarding Ukraine. The text of EUCO 10/25 was firmly supported by 26 heads of state or government.
3. The European Council will revisit this issue at its next meeting.
**EUCO 10/25 - Excerpt**
1. The European Council held an exchange of views with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine.
2. The European Union has supported Ukraine from the very beginning as it exercises its inherent right to self-defense against Russia's full-scale aggression and will continue to support Ukraine and its people. The European Council reaffirms its unwavering and steadfast support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
3. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has broader implications for European and international security. Since the war began, the European Union and its member states, together with their partners and allies, have emphasized the need to end this war through a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The European Council welcomes all efforts towards achieving such peace.
4. Given the new momentum for negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, the European Council stresses the importance of the following principles:
a) There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine;
b) There can be no negotiations affecting European security without Europe’s involvement. The security of Ukraine, Europe, transatlantic, and global security are interconnected;
c) Any ceasefire or truce can only occur as part of a process leading to a comprehensive peace agreement;
d) Any such agreement must be followed by strong and credible security guarantees for Ukraine that contribute to deterring future Russian aggression;
e) Peace must respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
5. Achieving 'peace through strength' requires that Ukraine be in the strongest possible position, with its own robust military and defense capabilities as a key element. This applies both before, during, and after negotiations to end the war. In this regard, the European Union remains committed, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, to providing enhanced political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people and to increasing pressure on Russia, including through additional sanctions and strengthening the enforcement of existing measures, in order to weaken its capacity to continue the war.
6. The European Union will continue to provide regular and predictable financial support to Ukraine. In 2025, it will provide Ukraine with 30.6 billion euros, with payments from the Ukrainian Facilitation expected to reach 12.5 billion euros, and 18.1 billion euros will be provided through the G7 ERA initiative, which will be repaid from surplus profits derived from immobilized Russian assets. The European Council calls on the Commission to swiftly take all necessary measures to accelerate payments from the above-mentioned instruments. It also calls on the Commission and member states to utilize all options within the Ukrainian Facilitation to increase financial support for Ukraine.
7. The European Council reviewed the work done on providing military support to Ukraine. In addition to funds already approved for Ukraine this year, it welcomed member states' willingness to urgently increase efforts to address Ukraine's pressing military and defense needs, especially the delivery of air defense systems, ammunition, and missiles, ensuring necessary training and equipment for Ukrainian brigades, and other needs that Ukraine may have. In this context, the important role of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in supporting Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was emphasized. The European Council calls on the Council to quickly move forward on initiatives, particularly the High Representative’s, to coordinate increased EU military support for Ukraine, including the military needs component of the G7 ERA initiative.
8. A Ukraine capable of effectively defending itself is an integral part of any future security guarantees. In this context, the European Union and member states are committed to contributing to the training and equipping of Ukraine's Armed Forces, intensifying efforts to further support and develop Ukraine’s defense industry, and deepening cooperation with the European defense industry.
9. In light of negotiations for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, the European Union and its member states are ready to further contribute to security guarantees based on their competences and capacities, in accordance with international law, including exploring the possibility of using the instruments of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). Security guarantees should be provided with Ukraine, as well as with like-minded partners and NATO partners.
10. The European Council recalls that all military support and security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided with full respect for the security and defense policies of the respective member states and taking into account the security and defense interests of all member states.
11. The European Council stresses Ukraine’s inherent right to choose its destiny, based on the UN Charter and international law. The European Union will intensify its support for Ukraine’s efforts on reforms on its path to EU membership.
12. The European Council calls on the Commission, Slovakia, and Ukraine to intensify efforts to find sustainable solutions for the gas transit issue, taking into account the concerns expressed by Slovakia.
13. The European Council will revisit this issue at its next meeting.
**9:39 PM Meloni: No Italian Troops on the Ground in Ukraine**
"I have ruled out sending Italian troops," said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the EU leaders’ summit, discussing the possibility of sending troops to the field in Ukraine as a guarantee after a potential peace agreement.
"I believe this solution is very complicated and not particularly effective. A just peace requires secure security guarantees, which can only be achieved within the framework of the transatlantic alliance."
Meloni emphasized that NATO Article 5 should be extended to Ukraine without the country joining the military alliance. She said she is open to peace missions in Ukraine but only under a UN mandate.
"This would be a very different matter compared to the [troop deployment] proposal currently under consideration."
On the European Commission’s "ReArm" plan, Meloni had both positive and negative remarks.
"We welcome the possibility of excluding defense expenditures from the deficit threshold calculation," she said. However, she added that the new 150 billion euro instrument could increase debt levels in some member states, which could be problematic for Italy.
"We will propose measures to increase investments with European guarantees, following the InvestEU program model," she said.
She also made it clear that Italy would not redirect cohesion funds towards military expenditures.
"There is a possibility that other EU countries may make such a decision, and we cannot prevent them from doing so, but I will propose to Parliament that Italy exclude the possibility of using cohesion funds to purchase weapons."
**9:30 PM Decision Supported by 26 EU Leaders, Orban Opposed**
The talks among leaders of European Union member states held today in Brussels resulted in a unanimous decision – except for Hungary – to increase defense spending and strengthen European security.
The 27-member bloc formally adopted conclusions emphasizing that Europe "must become more sovereign, responsible for its own defense, and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats."
To achieve this, the EU promised to "accelerate the mobilization of necessary instruments and financing to strengthen the security of the European Union and protect our citizens."
Despite broad consensus, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban refused to support the EU statement on Ukraine, creating a rift in an otherwise unified response.
However, the remaining 26 leaders, including Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, Orban’s ally, gave strong support.
The draft statement clearly stated that "there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine," which directly criticizes Trump’s efforts to marginalize European engagement and Kyiv’s role in any negotiations.
Given that the EU is now focusing more on defense capabilities, the bloc sends a signal of its intent to act independently in protecting its security interests in the context of changing global alliances.
Here is the English translation of the text you provided:
---
**21:11 Zelensky Calls for Unity and Security Guarantees**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the leaders of EU institutions and countries during the summit, expressing gratitude for continued European support.
"We are very grateful that we are not alone," he said.
He also showed a willingness to consider an air and maritime truce with Russia, but emphasized that such a move could only be the first step towards a comprehensive peace agreement, including security guarantees for Ukraine. Additionally, he called on Russia to release all prisoners of war as a basic condition for establishing "basic trust."
The Ukrainian leader also called for renewed U.S. engagement, with a scheduled meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday. He reiterated that any discussions about Ukraine’s future must include Ukraine itself, stressing the principle of "no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine."
**Trump's Stance and Ukrainian Opposition Leaders**
Trump's decision to halt military and intelligence support to Kyiv has faced sharp criticism, but his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, defended the move. He blamed Zelensky for the cessation of aid, claiming it served as a form of warning.
"It’s like a donkey getting hit with a board over the snout," Kellogg said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian opposition leaders have been in contact with members of Trump’s team. Former President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko denied any involvement in the alleged White House plan to overthrow Zelensky.
Ukraine remains under a state of emergency, which has led to the suspension of elections.
**European Military Response**
Faced with growing security challenges, leaders of EU member states expressed determination to increase military spending.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed the urgency of the situation.
"Europe must take on this challenge, this arms race. And it must win."
He added: "Europe as a whole is truly capable of winning any military, financial, or economic conflict with Russia – we are simply stronger."
**EU Leaders Support Fiscal Flexibility and Joint Borrowing for Defense**
The European Commission's proposals to allow fiscal flexibility for military spending and to jointly borrow up to 150 billion euros for military investments received widespread support from EU leaders.
Norway also announced it would more than double its aid to Ukraine in 2025, raising annual support to 85 billion Norwegian krone (over 7.2 billion euros).
One of the most significant proposals at the summit was the formation of a European air fleet of 120 fighter jets to protect Kyiv and western Ukraine from Russian attacks. Military experts say this could be implemented without provoking war with Moscow.
**Challenges in Compensating for U.S. Support**
While Europe shows determination, it faces significant obstacles in trying to replace U.S. assistance. NATO data shows that the U.S. provided over 40% of total military aid to Ukraine last year, a level of support Europe will struggle to match. Some leaders still hope Washington will remain engaged.
"We must ensure, with cool and wise heads, that U.S. support remains guaranteed in the coming months and years, as Ukraine depends on their help for its defense," said outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Additional uncertainty is introduced by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – a Trump ally – who may veto the unanimous EU statement in support of Ukraine. However, he has hinted at supporting increased investment in European defense.
**Macron’s Nuclear Proposal**
The Brussels summit takes place under the shadow of growing concern that Russia, bolstered by the war in Ukraine, might turn its attention to one of the EU member states. French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the need for European self-sufficiency in defense.
"I want to believe that the United States will remain with us. But we must be prepared if that does not happen," he said.
In light of the situation, Macron proposed the possibility of extending France’s nuclear deterrence to other European countries. The proposal received mixed reactions.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed it as "a serious factor in deterring Russia," while Poland considered it worth discussing. Germany, on the other hand, insists on maintaining U.S. involvement in European defense.
**Changing Global Security Dynamics**
Trump’s demand that Europe take more responsibility for its own security – along with his warning that the U.S. may not defend NATO allies who do not meet military spending goals – has deeply unsettled European leaders. His apparent shift towards a more conciliatory stance towards Russia has further heightened concerns in the EU.
The urgency of the situation is reflected in the decision by Germany's future ruling coalition to lift constitutional limits on borrowing to fund defense. The EU now faces a crucial moment in redefining its military strategy in an increasingly unstable global security environment.
