Europe strives to maintain united front on Ukraine amid Trump uncertainty

The European Union says it's committed to working on a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and that no decisions on security for the country can be made without input from the bloc.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington on Friday and is set to sign an agreement with the United States that is expected to tie U.S. financing in exchange for access to Ukraine's critical minerals.

A major unknown is whether lasting security guarantees will be included in the agreement. The EU has pledged to continue backing Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

"The EU and the U.S. have a common interest in a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, a peace through strength. We must put Ukraine in the strongest possible position ahead of any talks," said European Commission spokesperson, Anouar El Anouni, on Friday.

"What is important now is to ensure that we do not basically walk into the traps that Russia is setting up," he added.

Amid concerns over the United States' shifting policy on Ukraine, European leaders have been scrambling to develop plans to bolster aid for Kyiv whilst also ramping up their own defense capabilities.

This week French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to Washington for talks withU.S. President Donald Trump. Both sought to seek assurances over backing for Ukraine and to convince the U.S. President that Europe is committed to stepping up its own defense contributions.

Trump has called on European allies to spend at least five percent of annual gross domestic product on defense, an increase of NATO's existing benchmark of two percent. 

The UK has announced it aims to boost military spending to 2.5 percent by 2027 up from its current level of 2.3 percent. In response to the move, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said it was a, "strong step from an enduring partner."

A number of European powers are meeting in London on Sunday, March 2, to discuss joint plans regarding defense. On the agenda will be discussions on a common fund to bolster military support for Ukraine and ways to strengthen Europe's defense industrial base.

The meeting comes several days before EU leaders gather in Brussels on March 6 for an emergency summit.

"We do know that Ukraine needs more ammunition, stronger defense and more support for its own defense industry. We must give Ukraine what it needs to win this war, that's clear," said El Anouni.

European Council President Antonio Costa says peace in Ukraine must extend beyond a simple ceasefire but European leaders are divided on the issue of deploying peacekeepers should a peace settlement be reached.

But where there is alignment is the need for Europe to contribute more when it comes to its collective security.