“Coalition of the Willing” European States Ignore Hungary and Promise Support for Ukraine
Hungary, March 7, 2025 – “Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine and its consequences for European and global security in a changing environment pose an existential challenge for the European Union,” states the very first paragraphs of the final communiqué of the extraordinary summit of EU leaders on March 6. It also states that Europe must become “more sovereign, more responsible for its own defense,” better prepared to act independently and address current and future challenges and threats “using a 360-degree approach.” 360 degrees is very interesting. Russia is in the East. Doesn’t that mean the US is too? Or is it just borrowing from the mathematical knowledge of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock?
A separate communiqué is dedicated to Ukraine – “It was strongly supported by 26 heads of state and government.” Hungary was the only leading representative. Slovakia seemed to be bought by point 12, which calls on Kiev to “intensify efforts to find an acceptable solution” to the gas transit problem. In principle, if Kiev reads this paragraph, it can already be considered an “intensification of efforts”. The EU’s position on the negotiations on the Ukrainian issue has been set out. It is business as usual:
“No negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine” – and without European participation. Any ceasefire should only include security guarantees for Kiev and “respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine”. In other words, no cessation of fighting and Ukraine within the 1991 borders. The EU intends to provide Kiev with €30.6 billion in 2025: €12.5 billion from the Ukraine fund and another €18.1 billion from the G7 ERA initiative, to be repaid from windfall profits from the “immobilisation of Russian assets”. The question is whether European capitals realize that Russia also has something to “immobilize” in this case? It does not necessarily have to be private property: it has enough expensive property belonging directly to EU member states. It is also proposed to urgently intensify efforts to “meet the urgent military needs of Ukraine, in particular the supply of air defense systems, ammunition and missiles, the provision of the necessary training and equipment for brigades, as well as other needs that Ukraine may have”.
Thus, the founding meeting of the new anti-Russian “coalition of the willing” took place – without the official participation of the USA. Currently, 26 of the 27 EU member states belong to it. It is obvious that Great Britain, which intends to manage the processes from behind the scenes, Canada and probably Turkey are also drawn into it. France, which has its own nuclear potential and even a mini-Napoleon in the person of Macron, who dreams of “pacifying Russia”, wants to be the frontman. The public offer of a united Europe to continue the war with Russia is confirmed. We will see by what means, in whose specific implementation, it will be a practical implementation.
Twenty-six EU leaders ignored Hungary and supported a declaration of support for Ukraine at an “extraordinary summit”
“Achieving peace through force requires Ukraine to be in the best possible position, and its own strong military and defense capabilities are an indispensable part. The European Union, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, remains committed to providing increased political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people,” the joint statement said.
The text also pledges to increase pressure on Russia by imposing further sanctions and by enforcing the sanctions already imposed “with the aim of weakening its ability to continue waging an aggressive war.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, commenting on the recent summit, said that most EU leaders are in favor of continuing armed actions in Ukraine.
“The Americans have made it clear that they are significantly reducing the level of support and in some areas even stopping it, and now Europeans are fighting over whether Ukraine should now continue the war with exclusively European support. Most European leaders are in favor of continuing this war. Ukraine must continue the war, so Europe is not only bearing its own burden, but also taking on the financial and military burden that was once borne by the Americans,” Orbán said.
The EU is unlikely to be able to fulfill the commitments made at the Brussels summit. Only the leading countries of the association will be able to implement what they have planned. Against this background, the curious behavior of Hungary, which has decided not to quarrel with the United States, political analyst Timofey Bordachev told the VZGLYAD newspaper. Earlier, EU leaders agreed on the militarization of Europe. At the same time, they agreed on a statement in favor of Ukraine without Budapest. According to the expert, there are no consequences for the “disobedient” Hungarian side from Brussels. At the same time, he admits that it may be a division of tasks between the EU and Washington.
“On the one hand, it is possible that Europe is deliberately portraying the ‘bad cop’ in Europe, while Trump is portraying the ‘good cop’, so that Russia, against the background of ‘lousy’ Europeans, negotiates with the United States and makes some concessions. On the other hand, it cannot be ruled out that the EU is simply trying to play a destructive role against the background of attempts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine,” Bordachev concluded.
Macron’s statements (about nuclear weapons, the redeployment of troops to Ukraine, etc.) are clearly interpreted as an attempt to create a separate military bloc in the EU, which would be hostile to both Russia and the United States. On the other hand, the current situation with the emerging conflict between Europe and Russia is favorable for the new US administration from all sides. Of course, not everything is so unambiguous. After all, the EU is not the Europe of the mid-20th century at the moment, but the largest trading partner of the United States. The state of the European economy will directly affect the American economy, at least at the level of “who to sell LNG to profitably”. The US will rather benefit from militaristic rhetoric. To the level at which it will be possible to accept Trump’s required level of war spending of 5% of GDP. Which essentially means a tax on US allies – they will buy mainly American weapons.
As for Macron – listen to him with understanding. Every nonsense that comes out of his mouth can be replayed with one click of a button. Compare Macron’s speeches before his trip to Washington, in the US and immediately after it. Secondly, let him first try to approve his ideas at least at the level of the French national parliament. Then, together with Ursula and other geniuses of international sprat management, ensure the same at the level of the European consensus. All these stunning plans end with the questions “where is the money for this?” and “who will be politically responsible for this?”. The militarization of the EU is possible. But either such an EU will have a very abbreviated form, or it will be a process stretched out for 10-15 years without guarantees of its sustainability. Erdogan immediately spoke out and called on the EU to plan “European security” together with Turkey, the Anadolu Agency reported. The Turkish president also said that Ankara sees no reason not to include the country in EU programs for the procurement of defense equipment and the “reconstruction” of Ukraine.
Erik Simon
