The debate on European defense dominated the lengthy—over 10 hours—discussions among European leaders on Thursday (06.03.2025). Despite public embraces with Zelenskyy for supporting Ukraine, the final conclusions lacked both the signature of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and specific commitments to Kyiv. Essentially, as noted by Politico, the leaders of the EU agreed during the emergency summit to do what Donald Trump has been asking them to do for years: invest and spend significant amounts on their own defense—potentially reaching a total of €800 billion—to reduce reliance on American support. With one predictable exception, Viktor Orbán of Hungary, leaders committed to deeper financial involvement and urgent dispatch of more weapons and funds to Kyiv, as Trump cuts military supplies and stops sharing classified information with Ukraine. Over the next two weeks, officials in Brussels will work feverishly to finalize the details of the plan, which could allow EU governments to relax spending rules to channel funds into various military capabilities—from missiles and ammunition to drones, electronic warfare, and air defense. Leaders (except Orbán) also requested the European Commission to immediately deliver the promised funds for Ukraine’s immediate military needs. Another summit is scheduled for March 20-21 to discuss these issues again, aiming for more concrete actions. While Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa publicly embraced Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president left Brussels unsatisfied. Following the halt of U.S. military aid affecting Kyiv’s intelligence and precision weapons, Zelenskyy did not receive specific commitments from the EU that could replace American support. As noted by an EU diplomat, the defense discussion lasted most of the 10-hour session, with leaders clashing over how to fund the €800 billion defense increase and whether investments would come from European or national sources. However, discussions about Ukraine lasted only around 15 minutes. ‘That says it all,’ concludes Politico. In his speech, President Zelenskyy described Russia’s daily airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, urging Europe to ‘accelerate’ efforts for a financial mechanism to help Ukraine’s army. He demanded new sanctions against Russia and encouraged the EU to proceed with plans for Ukraine’s accession by 2030. The EU reached—without Hungary—a ’rounded’ agreement outlining principles for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, mentioned Kyiv’s integration, and committed to future military assistance without clear objectives. EU support for Ukraine, already decided, will continue over the next months with approximately €30 billion in loans from frozen Russian assets in 2025, but according to Politico, Josep Borrell’s initiative to raise another €20 billion for Kyiv didn’t gain unanimous support from European leaders. Zelenskyy achieved some specific commitments—not from the EU. Norway pledged to boost its immediate military aid to Ukraine to €8 billion for 2025, doubling its previous commitment. According to Tim Ross of Politico, the final statement includes the oft-repeated stance that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine and, rather desperately, that there can be no negotiations affecting European security without Europe’s participation. However, the message the EU desperately wants to send to Trump seems to fall on deaf ears. Upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia between Ukraine and the U.S. currently exclude Europe, while Borrell faced rejection in Washington last week when U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio found no time to meet her. The U.S.’s stance remains the major issue for both Ukraine, which appears to have no other choice but to compromise on Trump’s agenda, and the EU, which knows the implementation of armament goals could falter due to internal divisions within the bloc, economic obstacles as the EU’s engines are in crisis, and unpredictable decisions by Donald Trump. Trump himself has made it clear he disregards the EU and hasn’t bothered to engage in substantial dialogue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen since returning to power in January. More encouragingly, President Zelenskyy informed EU leaders during dinner that his team had resumed talks with Trump’s officials. Trump mentioned his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, indicating belief that Ukraine now seeks an agreement, though he hasn’t confirmed intentions to reach one next week. One thing is fairly clear: there is practically no chance the EU will be invited. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron appear ready to continue leading the troop mission in Ukraine for peacekeeping, despite vague references in the EU summit conclusions about examining if Union defense structures can play any role.