Europe must engage the United States in security debates and help find a way to bring it closer to Ukraine after the suspension of US military aid to Kiev, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
He also stressed that Europe must focus on being ready to replace American support for Ukraine and ensure its own security with its own resources.
The Czech government has already begun discussions on plans to increase defense spending to 3 percent of gross domestic product in the coming years, from the current level of around 2 percent by 2024.
He has been leading an initiative to procure ammunition for Ukraine since last year, gathering supplies from around the world to help Kiev fight off a Russian invasion. Lipavsky said the initiative has secured supplies for the coming months and is seeking additional funding from donor countries.
Since last Friday, when US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House - for allegedly not being grateful enough for US support and their efforts to end the war - Europe has been left in a state of security uncertainty.
The European Commission on Tuesday proposed borrowing up to 150 billion euros ($157,76 billion) to lend to EU governments as part of an arms deal, spurred by Russia's war against Ukraine and fears that Europe can no longer count on American protection.
In an interview later on Tuesday, Lipavsky welcomed the package, saying it would be a good basis for a summit of EU leaders on Thursday, which will discuss Ukraine and security.
"We also need to continue engaging the US in discussions on European security and find a way to perhaps bring Ukraine and the US closer together," Lipavsky said.
"We must not give up on the US, definitely not. But this is the reality and we have to do what we can."
Speaking about the EU summit, he said that he expects clear positions from all 27 member states, which will guide the future direction on security issues.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is at odds with the EU over its support for Ukraine, has already called on the bloc to begin direct talks with Russia on a ceasefire and abandon plans for a joint declaration at the summit.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, another leader who advocates urgent peace talks and opposes aid that prolongs the war, called the EU's "peace through strength" strategy unrealistic.
The United States, under Trump's leadership, has begun negotiations with Russia to end the war, but without the participation of Kiev or the EU.
Lipavsky stressed that Ukraine must be at the negotiating table and that a just and lasting peace is needed, warning that previous ceasefires between Kiev and Moscow have not yielded results.
"The key interest of the Czech Republic and, I hope, most European countries is to ensure the end of Russian imperialism and to protect the principles that borders are not changed by force," he said.
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