Description: European leaders after the emergency summit in Brussels on 06 Mar instructed the Union’s executive body, the European Commission to free up around EUR 150 billion which would be used to rearm the 27 member states. The emergency security summit was called due to Trump’s decision to halt military and intelligence support for Ukraine and the general US preorientation in foreign policy towards Russia. The European Commission has estimated that the total amount of unlocked funds could be estimated at approximately EUR 650 billion, which would mostly be used for military and aerial equipment and training. The leaders also pledged further support for Ukraine’s military endeavors, as the country is facing mounting Russian offensive and political, economic and diplomatic pressure from the US. The reconfiguration of defense strategy and budget concessions are Europe’s response to the present shifts in US foreign policy which are more aligned with Russia than Europe and Ukraine.
Impact: Europe’s uncoordinated approach towards achieving defensive and economic independence from the US has finally shown some signs of consolidation. The Brussels emergency summit should be considered in large as Europe’s response to the dissolution of relations with the US and adaptive posturing in the novel multipolar geopolitical landscape. Since previously European countries mostly relied on US support in terms of defense, the misalignment in the alliance would mostly affect Europe as the US has shown considerable alignment in foreign interest with Russia recently. The consolidation in the European ranks although somewhat late, could sign Europe’s resurgence on the global geopolitical stage as the continent aims towards economic and defensive independence.