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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked European leaders for their support after arriving in Brussels for an emergency EU summit on defence.
“During all this period, and last week, you stayed with us. We are very thankful that we are not alone. And these are not just words — we feel it,” Mr Zelensky told reporters as EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa stood either side.
EU support for Ukraine “signals to increase our production, and signals to a new program to increase European security”, he added.
Ms von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission, described it as a “watershed moment” for European security and called for “peace through strength”.
A source in the Turkish government has said Ankara is ready to send troops to Ukraine if necessary. Turkey has the second largest army in Nato, after the US.
Meanwhile, Russia has blasted an “extremely confrontational” speech by French president Emmanuel Macron in which he said Paris would consider using its nuclear deterrent to protect other countries.
“It can hardly be perceived as a speech by a head of state who is thinking about peace,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
alks on peace in Ukraine cannot take place without Ukraine and the European Union, and Croatia can offer its experience from the war in the 1990s, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said.
His comments come ahead of an EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels.
Jabed Ahmed6 March 2025 12:19
Belgium expects to deliver F16 fighter jets for battle in Ukraine in 2026, Belgium’s prime minister Bart De Wever ahead of meeting other EU leaders.
De Wever said the promised delivery of the jets had been delayed as Belgium is awaiting delivery of new F35’s to replace its F16’s.
Alex Croft6 March 2025 12:02
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said we are in a “watershed moment” for European security.
“This is a watershed moment for Europe, and Ukraine is part of our European family” she tells the press.
“Europe faces a clear and present danger and therefore Europe has to be abl to protect itself.
“We want a peace through strength,” she said, adding that she will present a ‘re-arm Europe’ plan to EU member states today giving member states more fiscal space to invest in defence.
“It’s a very important moment to show that we stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” she told reporters.
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:46
After arriving at the emergency EU summit on Thursday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked European leaders for their support.
“During all this period, and last week, you stayed with us. … Big appreciation. We are very thankful that we are not alone. And these are not just words — we feel it,” Mr Zelensky said.
EU support for Ukraine “signals to increase our production, and signals to a new program to increase European security”, he added.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a plan to loosen budget rules so countries can spend more on defence. Her proposal is underpinned by 150 billion euros ($162 billion) worth of loans to buy priority military equipment.
Mr Zelensky spoke with the media before the meeting (AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:38
Turkey is ready to send troops to Ukraine if necessary, a Turkish defence ministry source has said.
“The issue of contributing to a mission will be considered if deemed necessary for establishing regional stability and peace, and will be assessed mutually with all relevant parties,” the source told reporters in Ankara on Wednesday.
Turkey has the second largest army in Nato after the United States.
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:34
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the summit and is speaking with EU Council chief Antonio Costa and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU leaders will take a lunch with Mr Zelensky at 1pm Brussels time (12pm GMT) before a session is held of the European Council.
A press conference will be held after the session.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:18
Europe is stronger than Russia and can defeat it in any conflict, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday.
“Europe as a whole is truly capable of winning any military, financial, economic confrontation with Russia – we are simply stronger,” Mr Tusk told reporters in Brussels ahead of a European Union summit.
“We just had to start believing in it. And today it seems to be happening,” added Mr Tusk, who served as president of the European Council from 2014 to 2019.
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:15
A French nuclear umbrella would serve as a “serious deterrence”, Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda has said.
“I think it’s a very interesting idea,” Mr Nauseda said on Thursday ahead of an EU meeting in Brussels.
“A nuclear umbrella would serve as really very serious deterrence toward Russia.”
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:09
Belgium’s prime minister Bart De Wever greets Mr Zelensky ahead of an EU summit in Brussels (AP)
The leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz has been invited to the talks (EPA)
Polish prime minister and former EU Council president Donald Tusk arrives (AP)
Alex Croft6 March 2025 11:02