PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron convened leaders from prominent European Union countries and the United Kingdom at his lavish Elysee Palace on Monday to address the increasingly complex relationship with the U.S., a partner that once seemed unwavering.

This gathering follows a week of intensive diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration regarding Ukraine, which appeared to favor closer ties with Moscow while sidelining long-standing European allies.

In the months leading up to Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, EU leaders dismissed dire warnings and maintained a hopeful outlook that Trump would align with Europe, particularly as the continent began making strides to enhance its own defense capabilities and reduce dependency on U.S. military support.

However, recent comments from Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during their trip to Europe raised doubts about Europe’s security obligations and fundamental democratic values. Macron remarked that their criticisms and threats of withdrawal amid military threats felt like a jolt to the system.

The situation escalated when Trump shifted longstanding U.S. policy by initiating discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an attempt to mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, Trump’s envoy for Ukraine and Russia indicated that European nations would not be included in the peace discussions.

Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, described the week as “an existential moment,” emphasizing that it is crucial for Europe to assert itself. Macron aims to seize the opportunity presented by Monday’s meeting. Although Jean-Noël Barrot, Macron’s foreign minister, downplayed the importance of the emergency gathering, the swift coordination to organize it highlighted deeper issues at play.

Since World War II, the United States and Western European nations have largely collaborated in response to threats from the Soviet Union during the Cold War to contemporary Russian challenges. Although there have been longstanding U.S. criticisms regarding the hesitance of several European NATO allies to bolster their defense provisions, these tensions have rarely surfaced so dramatically until now.

On Monday, Macron will hold discussions with leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the European Union to explore the security dilemmas facing Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will also participate in the conversations.

French officials anticipate that the meeting will focus more on demonstrating solidarity among European leaders than making definitive decisions. “A sense of unity is sweeping across Europe like we haven’t experienced since the COVID crisis,” Barrot remarked, referencing the collective efforts during the pandemic.

Despite the importance of European cooperation, strong ties with the U.S. will remain vital in the foreseeable future. It is expected to take years for European countries to significantly increase defense manufacturing and efficiently integrate those capabilities into a robust military force.

This bond with the U.S. is particularly crucial in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “U.S. support will continue to be essential, and a U.S. security guarantee is vital for establishing a lasting peace, as only the U.S. can effectively deter Putin from future aggression,” he emphasized in the Monday edition of the Daily Telegraph.

European nations are committed to enhancing support for Ukraine wherever feasible, and there is agreement among EU members on increasing defense expenditures. However, while there is a consensus on surpassing the 2% of GDP target for defense spending, reaching a goal of 3% remains uncertain.

Some EU countries advocate for a collective borrowing agreement to finance significant defense initiatives, while others believe that nations lagging in spending should first meet the 2% threshold. These issues will also be a focus of discussion during the meeting.

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Casert reported from Brussels.