BRUSSELS — The ongoing geopolitical landscape has prompted a noticeable shift among European leaders towards a unified stance on supporting Ukraine, particularly in light of increasing scepticism regarding the United States' commitment under the Trump administration.

US President Donald Trump's recent address in Congress signaled potential efforts to restore relations with Kyiv, leading EU leaders to convene for an extraordinary summit on Thursday to reinforce their support for Ukraine.

As the perception of security threats in Europe expands beyond Ukraine to encompass concerns regarding American reliability, internal divisions persist, especially with Hungary's stance creating complications.

Over the past week, EU ambassadors have intensified discussions around military and financial support for Ukraine, as well as the use of frozen Russian assets, updating draft conclusions ahead of the summit.

EU leaders are anticipated to articulate stronger measures against Russia, including calls for additional sanctions and an enhanced enforcement of existing sanctions.

Notably, an initiative led by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas to bolster military support was briefly excluded last week due to Hungarian opposition but has since been reintegrated into the draft proposals.

Budapest's position remains uncertain, contingent on the conditions attached to any defence proposals, particularly regarding mandatory expenditure on Ukraine, which Hungary has resisted.

Observers suggest that Hungary is poised to reject a more robust version of the summit’s resolution, potentially jeopardizing the unity of the remaining EU27 members.

While some EU diplomats express a commitment to prioritizing a strong message of solidarity towards Ukraine, further discussions may be necessary to circumvent Hungary's demands.

In a worst-case scenario, European Council President António Costa might issue a chair statement that reflects the consensus of non-dissenting nations.

In parallel, French President Emmanuel Macron has engaged in talks with Orbán in an attempt to bridge the divide ahead of the summit; however, the likelihood of resolving Hungary's objections appears slim.

Meanwhile, Slovakia's position remains ambiguous, with Prime Minister Robert Fico recently stating that Bratislava will refrain from providing additional support to Ukraine and advocating for a ceasefire.

Amidst these developments, EU leaders acknowledge the necessity of fostering a collaborative transatlantic relationship, particularly as the ramifications of Trump's recent actions become evident.

The dynamic between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggests that managing political egos is essential in navigating diplomatic engagements.

In an effort to establish a robust framework for defensive capabilities, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has introduced a five-point 'REARM Europe' initiative aimed at enhancing defence expenditure.

This comes in the context of renewed urgency for Europe to bolster its security independently from the United States, highlighted by Germany's commitment to increase defence investment significantly.

Although Europe has rallied to address its defensive needs, scrutiny remains regarding the implementation and efficacy of proposed measures.

The European Commission plans to present legislative proposals for review during the upcoming leaders' summit, underscoring the urgency of collective action as the geopolitical climate continues to evolve.