Quotes
These kind of signals probably are messages from Trump that you should take your defense very seriously — so for me it’s quite understandable,
said Michal
It’s usually the case that if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,
said Bart De Wever, the Belgian prime ministerUkraine’s, Europe’s, transatlantic and global security are intertwined.”
For the avoidance of doubt, they addedThe European Council stresses that Europe must become more sovereign, more responsible for its own defense and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats with a 360° approach,
it said in a statement
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions for European and global security in a changing environment constitute an existential challenge for the EU,
it addedHungary did not sign onto a joint statement of support after the European Council meeting,
Jeanna said
We are very thankful that we are not alone,
said Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the meetingAchieving ‘peace through strength’ requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with Ukraine’s own robust military and defense capabilities as an essential component,
an earlier draft joint statement seen by POLITICO readI am convinced that Russia will lose [an arms race with Europe], just as the Soviet Union lost a similar race."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday
Today could mark a turning point for Europe's resolve on armament, the defense industry, and readiness to face the challenge posed by Russia,
said TuskWe are stronger, we just needed to believe it. And today, we do,
said TuskFinland, the Baltic States, and Romania want to join this effort to protect Europe's eastern border, including with EU funds,
Tusk was cited as saying by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland, on X, formerly TwitterThe war, the geopolitical uncertainty and the new arms race started by Putin have left Europe with no choice. Europe must be ready for this race, and Russia will lose it like the Soviet Union 40 years ago. From today, Europe will arm itself more wisely and faster than Russia."
Tusk said on X on Thursday
This is, of course, a threat,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow
This would quickly put Germany among the highly indebted countries of the EU, and the debt-to-GDP ratio will reach 100 per cent as early as 2034,
Heinemann said, ... according to First PostUnlike their predecessors, who also wanted to fight against Russia, Napoleon, Hitler, Mr. Macron does not act very gracefully, because at least they said it bluntly: ‘We must conquer Russia, we must defeat Russia,
he addedGiven the threats to our freedom and to peace on our continent, we must do whatever it takes for our continent,
he said,Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself, as we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for a lasting and just peace.”
Arriving at the summit, Von der Leyen told reporters
The European Union will truly turn a page on a Europe of defence,
said a senior EU official before the meeting, referring to Thursday’s summitOf course it is a threat against Russia. If he sees us as a threat... and says that it is necessary to use a nuclear weapon, is preparing to use a nuclear weapon against Russia, of course it is a threat,
Lavrov said