BRUSSELS – In a videoconference held today, President of the European Council, António Costa, emphasized the importance of collaboration with NATO allies, describing it as “essential for international security.”
“Our partnership with NATO is critical for global safety, particularly in support of Ukraine, as we enhance our collective defense efforts,” Costa stated on social media following the virtual meeting. Notable attendees included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the Prime Ministers of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir, Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, and the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer.
In his remarks, Costa highlighted the need for coordinated efforts among partners in Europe, the Atlantic, and beyond to support Ukraine and work towards a just and lasting peace.
The meeting aimed to brief the five NATO partners on the outcomes of an extraordinary EU Council meeting held on Thursday, which included discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a lunch with EU leaders.
During the extraordinary summit, EU leaders reached a consensus on swiftly mobilizing the necessary funds to enhance the bloc’s security while ensuring continuous support for Ukraine, especially in light of decreasing U.S. involvement.
This meeting followed von der Leyen’s introduction of a substantial 800 billion euro investment plan for European defense initiatives.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU and its Member States have collectively provided close to 135 billion euros in aid to Ukraine, including 48.7 billion euros to bolster its armed forces, alongside the implementation of 16 sanction packages against Russia.
From 2021 to 2024, defense spending among Member States has surged by more than 30%, reaching an estimated 326 billion euros, which amounts to approximately 1.9% of the EU’s GDP.
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