Europe is facing Russia’s aggression, and US President Donald Trump demands more defense expenditure from the Allies.
The European Union leaders, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the head of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) Mark Rutte, meet on Monday in the historical Brussels Palace of Egmont at negotiations about the future of European Defense, TASR reports.
In this period, Europe is facing Russia’s aggression, and old -new US President Donald Trump is demanding more defense expenditure from the Allies. There is also a concern about reducing the presence of US soldiers in Europe, lower US support for Ukraine and controversial statements of Trump on the plans to obtain the Danish island of Greenland, DPA Daniel Flott from the Center for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy in Brussels said.
More responsibility of Europe for its own defense
An informal closed meeting was convened by the President of the European Council António Costa. He announced that the aim is to prepare the land for decisions that the EU would have to take, and also to provide the Commission for Guidelines in the preparation of the White Book on the future of European Defense on common defense initiatives and resources to develop them. According to him, Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense and cooperate more closely at European level.
The EU estimates that the block needs to invest an additional EUR 500 billion in defense in the next decade. The main disputes revolve around the sources of investment, whether the EU money should only be used by the purchase of weapons from the block and what role should be played by NATO. “It is clear to everyone at the table that investments (defense) must be increased. It’s not a question, but how, “one of the Union officials told AFP.
The Brussels session is considered to be “triple leaders” – for the first time since the US President’s inauguration, 27 EU leaders will meet, for the first time in history they will discuss defense and will negotiate with the British Prime Minister for the first time from Brexit.
Fico should also be on negotiations
According to the schedule, the leaders will first discuss with the President of the European Parliament Robert Metsol. Subsequently, the introductory negotiations of the 27 leaders will be held, followed by a lunch with Ruttem, the second session of leaders and dinner with British Prime Minister Starmer. Finally, the joint press conference of Costu, the head of the European Commission of Ursula von Der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are scheduled.
Prime Minister Robert Fico should also participate in the negotiations. During the day, he plans to meet with representatives of the European Commission in connection with the cessation of natural gas transit into the territory of Slovakia.
