There was both symbolism and substance on Sunday as European leaders and NATO allies gathered in London to try to pick up the pieces after a shattering encounter in the Oval Office between the president of a superpower and a president at war.
The symbolism was of European leaders and NATO allies gathering to stand shoulder to shoulder in a show of solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after his mauling in the White House by US President Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance.
There was also real substance on Sunday as European and NATO allies committed to spending more on defence and stepping up to defend their borders against Russian aggression, with an eye on a US partner which, whatever Sir Keir Starmer might say, Europeans are not sure they can now rely on.
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EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, emerging from over two hours of talks, spoke of the EU plan – to be presented on Thursday – to increase defence spending.
“Member states need more fiscal space to do a surge in defence spending,” she told reporters, adding Europe needed to turn Ukraine “into a steel porcupine that is indigestible for potential invaders”.
NATO secretary general Mark Rutte said he had heard new announcements from European leaders to ramp up defence spending.
After decades of outsourcing its defence to the US and cashing in the post-Cold War peace dividend on health, education and welfare spending, Europe is all too aware that it has entered different times.
Sir Keir has inserted himself into the heart of…
