Leaders of EU, UK, NATO Set for Defence Retreat Early February

EU, UK, and NATO leaders are set to meet in Belgium for a key defence retreat.

According to the EU, the defence talks involving the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, and NATO’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, will be held on February 3, 2025.

In a letter inviting EU heads of state and government to the talks at Limont Castle, Brussels,  European Council chief, Antonio Costa, said “Europe needs to assume greater responsibility for its own defence.

“I believe we share a similar assessment of the threats Europe is facing.

“Peace in Europe depends on Ukraine winning a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.”

Already, U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump, has vowed to end the war upon assumption of office on January 20.

Last week, EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stressed that the bloc will remain steadfast in its backing of Ukraine irrespective of what the U.S. decides.

The bolstering of Europe’s defence capabilities and funding for defence are some of the key topics to be discussed at the meet.

Costa described the U.K. as “a key partner for the European Union, notably in the field of defence.”

Most of the topics will be deliberated upon once more when the EU leaders meet again in June this year.