BRUSSELS — European Union leaders held their first-ever defense meeting on Monday, focusing on strengthening military capabilities, increasing defense financing and reinforcing strategic partnerships.

European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the need to address critical defense gaps, particularly in air and missile defense, ammunition production and military mobility, in coordination with NATO.

Speaking at a news conference, he underscored the urgency of strengthening the European defense industry to accelerate military equipment production.

According to Costa, defense spending among 23 EU members has increased by 30 percent between 2021 and 2024, with an average of 2 percent of GDP allocated to defense.

The European Investment Bank has expanded its support for defense financing, while discussions on additional funding, particularly for the next EU budget cycle starting in 2028, are ongoing.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also joined the meeting.

The Ukraine conflict remained a central topic, with EU leaders reaffirming their commitment to supporting Ukraine for "as long as necessary and whatever it takes".

Costa stressed that the EU is no longer debating whether to strengthen its defense but rather how to implement it, highlighting the urgency of building a more capable, independent European security framework.

The start of the EU summit was overshadowed by US President Donald Trump declaring at the weekend that he would soon impose tariffs on imports from the EU.

European leaders warned on Monday that Trump's threat to expand tariffs to the EU risked igniting a trade war that would harm consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Xinhua - Agencies