'Europe at five minutes to midnight': Eyes on EU summit as bloc fears post-war security structure is crumbling

European Union leaders are convening an emergency summit on Thursday in Brussels to address escalating concerns over Europe’s security landscape and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The agenda of the meeting will revolve around discussions to increase military spending after the Trump administration urged Europe to handle its own security and halted US military aid to Ukraine.

This urgent meeting comes after recent shifts in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump and a rapprochement with Russia. These actions from the Trump administration have prompted Europe to reassess its defence and security strategies.

European officials told Politico that they agree the time has come to take action, but some worry it could go badly wrong.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “an incredible awakening,” whereas Germany’s incoming Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, emphasised that Europe is “five minutes to midnight.”

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“Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime. Some of our fundamental assumptions are being undermined to their very core,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a letter to the 27 leaders of the EU.

However, the meeting is not likely to address the immediate needs of Ukraine.

According to news agency AP, the meeting will not focus on urgently securing more weapons and ammunition to fill the gap left by the US aid freeze. Nor will it unlock the €183 billion ($196 billion) in frozen Russian assets held in a Belgian clearing house, which could be used to support Ukraine.

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Ukraine’s military continues fight

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military continues to fight to slow Russia’s advances along the 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. The war has already claimed tens of thousands of soldiers’ lives and killed over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians.

Meet to explore deployment of troops to Ukraine

Additionally, the meeting will also explore the formation of a “coalition of the willing,” with the deployment of 30,000 troops to Ukraine to stabilise the region.