European Union leaders announced an emergency summit in Brussels on Tuesday following a dramatic uptick in Russian missile strikes in eastern Ukraine, which have reportedly killed over 60 civilians in the past 48 hours.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, speaks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, as they arrive for an EU Summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
In a shorter update, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described the situation as a “grave acceleration of hostilities” that demands urgent coordinated action.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on allies to send additional air defense systems, noting that Russia has recently deployed hypersonic missiles in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.
German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock and French President Emmanuel Macron both pledged further aid, with Paris committing to deliver five more CAESAR howitzers and Berlin offering satellite intelligence support.
In short, European leaders are bracing for broader destabilization across NATO’s eastern flank.
Analysts warn that Moscow’s escalation could be tied to upcoming Russian regional elections and attempts to boost nationalist support at home.
The summit is expected to finalize a new aid package exceeding €4 billion and propose fresh sanctions against Kremlin-linked financial institutions.
