EU summit seeks money for Europe's defense

The heads of state of the European Union are meeting in Brussels on Thursday to readjust the EU's defense. The EU Commission is hoping for approval for its "ReArm Europe" plan, which could raise a total of almost 800 billion euros.

It is also about Europe's repositioning in Ukraine policy after the rift between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. The latter is now trying to bring things closer together.

It is probably the last EU summit with Olaf Scholz as Chancellor. His likely successor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), is also in Brussels on the sidelines of the summit.

Great Britain has advised on the Coalition of the Willing

1:55 p.m.: According to British sources, Great Britain held talks on Wednesday with around 20 countries that are interested in participating in the "coalition of the willing" to support Ukraine. These are mainly countries in Europe and the Commonwealth, says a representative of the British leadership. "It shows the willingness of the coalition of the willing to come together and the desire of a number of different countries to do their part. This is still an early stage and the situation is very fluid." It therefore remains unclear which countries are involved. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that Great Britain, France and several other countries would forge a coalition to draw up plans on how Ukraine could be supported in the event of a peace agreement. ( rtr )

Hungary's Prime Minister is committed to strengthening defence capabilities

1:40 p.m.: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is in favor of strengthening the defense capabilities of European states. Orban consulted with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. "My meetings in France confirmed that although we have different opinions on the modalities of peace, we agree that we must strengthen the defense capabilities of European nations," Orban said on Platform X. "These efforts should give power to the member states and not to the Brussels bureaucrats." Orban is speaking ahead of the meeting of EU heads of state and government in Brussels, which will focus on the situation in Ukraine and the security of the EU. ( rtr )

Belgium to deliver promised F16 fighter jets next year

1:00 p.m.: Belgium is expected to deliver F16 fighter jets to Ukraine next year. The already promised delivery of the fighter jets has been delayed, says Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever before the EU summit in Brussels. Belgium is still waiting for the delivery of new F35 fighter jets to replace the F16. ( rtr )

Türkiye ready to send peacekeepers to Ukraine

12.45 p.m.: According to government circles in Ankara, NATO member Turkey could send soldiers to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission. "The question of participation in a mission will be considered if it is deemed necessary to create stability and peace in the region, and will be examined together with all parties concerned," the Defense Ministry said. According to the insider, discussions about stationing Turkish soldiers are still of a conceptual nature. No concrete decisions have been made yet. "The concept is not yet clearly defined." The prerequisite for sending Turkish troops is a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The first deployments should extend to non-combat units in order to monitor the ceasefire, says the insider. After the USA, Turkey has the largest army in NATO. It has not joined the Western sanctions against Russia and has mediated in previous agreements between the warring parties, such as the grain agreement that allows Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea. ( rtr )

12.30 p.m.: Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden is calling for stronger defense in the European Union, even if some member states do not agree to such an increase in armament. "We need more European defense, and if one or two countries do not want to share this view, then I think the others should go as far ahead as possible. And that is what I am advocating," says Frieden before the start of the meeting of EU heads of state and government in Brussels. ( rtr )

Von der Leyen assures Selenskyj of support

1:18 p.m.: On the sidelines of a special EU summit on Ukraine, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clearly supports the country attacked by Russia. "This is a decisive moment for Europe," said von der Leyen. "Europe is facing a clear and present danger, and that is why Europe must be able to protect itself, to defend itself, just as we must enable Ukraine to protect itself." That is why she wants to present the heads of state and government with a plan to arm Europe.

At the special meeting of EU leaders, a possible increase in European defense spending will be discussed, among other things. Von der Leyen's EU Commission presented a plan for this and hopes that it will receive the necessary approval at the EU summit. Von der Leyen hopes that a total of almost 800 billion euros could be mobilized with several measures. ( dpa )