Ukraine updates: EU leaders meet at emergency summit

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Polish PM Tusk says Europe can defeat Russia

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Europe is srtonger than Russia as he arrived at an emergency summit on defense in Brussels.

"Europe as a whole is truly capable of winning any military, financial, economic confrontation with Russia — we are simply stronger," Tusk told reporters. "We just had to start believing in it. And today it seems to be happening."

He said the French proposal for expanding its nuclear deterrent to include European allies must be taken seriously.

Tusk also said that although the US is now a "somewhat more demanding" partner, Europe's alliance with it must remain an "absolute priority"

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Scholz says Europe should not give up on US nuclear deterrence

Arriving in Brussels, German outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Europe should not give up on American nuclear deterrence.

When asked about France's offer to discuss extending the protection offered by its nuclear arsenal to its European partners, Scholz said: "What we have in terms of nuclear involvement ... I don't think that should be given up."

Scholz also warned against accepting an unfavorable peace settlement amid Washington's recent overtures to Moscow.

"It is very important that we make sure that Ukraine does not have to accept a dictated peace, but that it is a just and fair peace that guarantees [Ukraine's] sovereignty and independence," he told reporters outside the emergency summit on defense.

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Zelenskyy thanks Europe for political and military support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked Europe after its leaders pledged their support for Ukraine amid a diplomatic spat between Washington and Kyiv.

"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," Zelenskyy said as he arrived in Brussels for an emergency summit on defense.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who joined Zelenskyy as he fronted the press, underlined the importance of supporting Ukraine's defense.

"Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself, we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for lasting and just peace," she told reporters.

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Russia's Lavrov says no compromise on European peacekeepers

Sergey Lavrov spoke out against the deployment of European peacekeepers to UkraineImage: Pavel Bednyakov/AP Photo/picture alliance

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would see the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine as the official involvement of NATO forces in the war against Russia.

"We see no room for compromise. This discussion is being held with an overtly hostile aim," Lavrov said on Thursday.

Several European leaders have in recent days floated the idea of sending a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine to support a potential ceasefire.  

Lavrov also accused French President Emmanuel Macron of making a threat against Russia by proposing that allied European countries fall under France's nuclear umbrella in the face of Russian aggression.

"Of course it is a threat against Russia. If he sees us as a threat... and says that it is necessary to use a nuclear weapon, is preparing to use a nuclear weapon against Russia, of course it is a threat," Lavrov said. 

Russia changed its nuclear weapons doctrine last year to allow strikes against non-nuclear states that are supported by nuclear states. It also staged tactical nuclear weapons drills.

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

International humanitarian volunteers escape deadly strike on Ukrainain hotel

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said international humanitarian volunteers had checked into the hotel before a deadly Russian air strikeImage: State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu/picture alliance

The death toll from a Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih overnight has risen to four.

The strike hit a hotel, leaving dozens more people injured.

"Just before the attack, volunteers from a humanitarian organization — citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom — had checked into the hotel," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms in time. Unfortunately, four people were killed in this attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones."

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Why isn't Germany taking the lead to secure a peace deal in Ukraine?

European leaders are racing to salvage US-Ukraine ties after a bitter Oval Office clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week.

The UK and France have since taken the lead in bridging the gap between Kyiv and Washington. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for example, held emergency talks with European leaders last weekend in London.

But why isn't Germany taking the lead in the effort to mend US-Ukraine ties, or spearheading an eventual peace deal in Ukraine?

The short answer is — Germany is in transition. The EU's most populous and richest country is stuck between an outgoing government and one that's not formed yet. DW's chief political correspondent gives you a short overview of the situation in our Instagram post.

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Norway's PM wants to increase aid to Ukraine

Norway should significantly increase its financial aid to Ukraine, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Thursday

"I want to propose to the other parties in parliament that we meet this afternoon to discuss and agree on a significant increase in the Nansen program for Ukraine this year," Store told Norway's parliament.

The Nansen program is Norway's cross-party aid scheme for Ukraine. It is named after Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen.

"We will organize our expanded support so that it provides the greatest possible fighting power as quickly as possible," Store added.

He called the US pause in military aid to Ukraine "very regrettable" and said Europe must be involved in any potential peace talks.

As Norway is not a member of the European Union, Store is not part of the bloc's plans to increase defense spending and aid to Ukraine. 

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

France to share intelligence with Ukraine

France is offering intelligence to Ukraine, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Thursday.

"We have intelligence resources that we use to help the Ukrainians," Lecornu told radio station France Inter.

It comes a day after the United States said it would stop sharing intelligence with Kyiv, which Lecornu said "has been suspended since yesterday afternoon."

Lecornu said it would be "more complicated" for the United Kingdom to follow France's lead because it is in an intelligence community with the United States.

"Our intelligence is sovereign... with our own capacities," he added. "We are passing this on to the Ukrainians."

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Russian officials scold Macron over nuclear deterrent for Europe

Zac Crellin | Sean Sinico

Russian lawmakers and other officials slammed French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for saying that Russia posed a threat to Europe.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now heads the Russian Security Council, hit back on social media.

"Macron himself poses no big threat though," he wrote, misspelling the French president's surname.

"He'll disappear forever no later than May 14, 2027. And he won’t be missed."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Macron of making "contradictory statements" every day that are "detached from reality."

Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev also accused Macron of "maniacally" imposing an erroneous analysis on his citizens.

Kosachev said that "such false conclusions and false suggestions lead to the abyss."

Macron said France was open to talks about extending the protection offered by its nuclear weapons to its European partners Image: Alexis Jumeau/picture alliance/abaca

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

2 killed in strike on Kryvyi Rih — regional authorities

At least two people were killed and seven were injured in a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region, regional authorities said.

Four of the injured were in critical condition, the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration said.

Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lyssak said on the Telegram messaging service that the missile had targeted civilian infrastructure and had hit a five-story hotel.

Kryvyi Rih is the home town of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Macron says to consider putting Europe under French nuclear umbrella

French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris could consider putting allied European countries under France's nuclear umbrella.

"In response to the historic call by the future German Chancellor, I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our deterrent," Macron said in a televised speech.

He said that France's nuclear deterrent had played a role in maintaining peace and security in Europe since Paris first developed it in 1964.

Likely new German chancellor Friedrich Merz had suggested talks with France and the United Kingdom over establishing a nuclear umbrella. Germany does not have nuclear weapons.

Multiple European leaders have argued for European countries to boost defense capabilities and reduce dependence on the United States.

Macron warned that "Russia has become a threat for France and Europe,"
adding that "to watch and do nothing would be madness."

"The future of Europe does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow," Macron said.

03/06/2025March 6, 2025

Welcome to our coverage of the EU summit and other news regarding Ukraine

Saim Dušan Inayatullah | Rana Taha

European leaders are expected to endorse measures to boost defense spending and pledge continued support for Kyiv in a summit on Thursday in Brussels.

Delegations at the summit are slated to discuss EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's €800 billion ($864 billion) "ReArm Europe" plan.

Leaders of the European Union's 27 member-states are due to be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The meeting comes after US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine. He has also called for European countries to take more responsibility for security within the NATO military alliance.

The night before the summit, Macron reiterated his support for plans to reduce the EU's dependence on Washington.

"I want to believe that the United States will stand by us. But we have to be ready if that is not the case," he said.