President also plans to ask for "financial contribution" for maintenance of remaining troops, European diplomatic source said.

In an address to EU lawmakers, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged the 27-nation bloc to 'take control' of its own security.

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that Ukraine’s resistance provides NATO and the EU time to strengthen against potential Russian aggression. Urging increased defense spending, Kubilius emphasized boosting arms production and military aid to Kiev.

Slovakia’s pro-Russian prime minister has raised the prospect of his country leaving the European Union and Nato, arguing that world events could consign them to the “history books”.

The European Union cannot rely on the United States to defend it and must increase military spending and security preparedness to deter Russia from targeting more of its neighbors after Ukraine, senio

The European Union is open to discussing purchases of energy and arms from the United States to ward off tariffs that President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on the bloc, EU's top economy official said on Thursday.

Slovak opposition leader Michal Simecka launched an attempt to dismiss the leftist-nationalist government in a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico of laying the groundwork to take the country out of the EU.

Europe's military heavyweights have already said that meeting President Donald Trump's potential challenge to spend up to 5% of their economic output on security would be challenging.

EU leaders will gather in Belgium on February 3 for an exceptional defence "retreat" involving Britain's prime minister and NATO's secretary general, two weeks after Donald Trump returns to the White House. The talks will come at a crucial juncture ...

EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stresses the need for NATO and EU to bolster defenses against Russia, urging increased military aid to Ukraine.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

The bloc's defence push could potentially be used as leverage in a trade standoff with Trump, according to Stephane Sejourne, the EU's commissioner for industrial strategy, who noted Europe's economy needs to be in good health to allow for more security spending.

"Such statements indicate that the Polish politician prioritizes short-term political considerations over the strategic security interests of his own country," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.