BRUSSELS, March 20. /TASS/. Issues of economic development and autonomous defense will top the agenda of a European Union summit in Brussels.
According to a high-ranking EU official, the EU leaders plan to discuss the European defense strategy that was presented by the European Commission on Wednesday. The strategy includes, in particular, a plan for arming Ukraine.
Special attention is expected to be paid to the so-called White Paper for European Defense - Readiness 2030, which includes a long-term plan of arming Ukraine. "The era of the peace dividend is long gone. The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted. Europe is ready to step up. We must invest in defense, strengthen our capabilities, and take a proactive approach to security. We are taking decisive action, presenting a roadmap for 'Readiness 2030', with increased defense spending, important investments in European defense industrial capabilities. We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defense technological and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defense equipment," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
As for support for Ukraine, the EU leaders will try to agree the peace through strength principle to ensure the maximum strong negotiating position for Ukraine, the EU official said. Apart from that, the leaders will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas’ initiative to supply Kiev with two million rounds.
However, according to the EU diplomat, it is not ruled out that Hungary will once again refuse from supporting the finals document on Ukraine, like it did at the emergency summit on March 6.