Quotes
We believe that planning all steps for European security together with Türkiye will be in our mutual interest. It is also important to obtain strong support of our ally, the U.S., and maintain maximum transatlantic bond in all these endeavors,
We maintain our goal of full membership. We expect the EU to adopt a strategic and visionary stance and to revive our membership negotiations. I hope that we’ll soon hold our high-level meetings,
the Turkish president stated We support the idea of establishing a ceasefire as soon as possible and stopping attacks in the air and at sea as a confidence-building measure between the parties.”
On the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Erdoğan underscored the importance of a ceasefire between the parties, saying We believe there is no justification for excluding us from the European Union's defense products procurement and reconstruction programs. It is important for us to be included in mechanisms like the European Peace Facility, which aims to reconstruct and revitalize Ukraine,
We are moving decisively towards a strong and more sovereign Europe of defense,
Antonio Costa, who heads the Council of the EU's 27 states, told reporters after the talks These kind of signals probably are messages from Trump that you should take your defense very seriously — so for me it’s quite understandable,
We are very thankful that we are not alone, and these are not just words. We feel it. It’s very important,
Zelenskyy said, looking more relaxed among Europe’s leaders in Brussels than when he received a verbal lashing from Trump in Washington last week This is not just a numbers game, it's a fundamental decision about the future direction of EU defense strategy, requiring further negotiation and coordination,
Hungary is isolated among the 27, and we respect Hungary’s position,
European Council President Antonio Costa told reporters after the meeting We hope that next week we will have a meaningful meeting,
If that's not possible, then Hungary can speak for itself,
The European Union has isolated itself from the United States now, isolated itself from China because of the trade war, and isolated itself from Russia because of the sanction policy. So if somebody is isolated here it is the European Union,
We have to support Ukraine now more than ever,
EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said before the extraordinary summit He’s done that before,
outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters Achieving ‘peace through strength’ requires Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, with Ukraine’s own robust military and defense capabilities as an essential component,
the statement signed by 26 leaders read It’s usually the case that if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,
said Bart De Wever, the Belgian prime minister Ukraine’s, Europe’s, transatlantic and global security are intertwined.”
For the avoidance of doubt, they added The European Council stresses that Europe must become more sovereign, more responsible for its own defense and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats with a 360° approach,
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions for European and global security in a changing environment constitute an existential challenge for the EU,
We have to take decisions no matter the one or two which are opposing every time,
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said
