Costa to EU leaders: ‘New momentum on Ukraine and first decisions on European defense’

Brussels – Taking stock of the situation, figuring out what to do now, and, more importantly, next, for Ukraine and Europe: EU heads of state and government will meet in Brussels to sort all this out because that is the goal of the extraordinary summit that the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, convened. There are promises to be fulfilled toward Kyiv and new roles for Europe to play. “As far as Ukraine is concerned, there is a new momentum, which should lead to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace,” Costa wrote in his traditional invitation letter to leaders. “It is therefore important for us to exchange on how to further support Ukraine and on the principles that should be respected going forward.“

A confrontation that Costa wants to be as serious and effective as possible, so much so that he wants the physical presence of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The reason for Costa’s official invitation is to “discuss with us the latest developments.” However, the real crux is what to do from here on out. The EU wants to take stock of how to proceed in the face of US unilateralism and a ‘rehabilitation’ of Russian President Vladimir Putin by the US administration. The EU wants to figure out, together with Zelensky, how to help Ukraine be stable, secure, and possibly territorially intact. Therefore, the European Council president urges the 27 member states to “be prepared for a possible European contribution to the security guarantees that will be necessary to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine.”

Costa also calls on leaders for a step up in progress concerning European defense. “My aim is to follow up on our informal retreat of February 3 with a view to taking first decisions for the short-term, in order for Europe to become more sovereign, more capable, and better equipped to deal with immediate and future challenges to its security,” he said. It means no wavering and no vetoes.