European Union leaders on Thursday committed to working together to bolster the continent's defenses and to free up hundreds of billions of euros for security after U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated warnings that he would cut them adrift to face the threat of Russia alone.

Facing the prospect that the United States might cut them adrift, EU leaders held emergency talks in Brussels to explore new ways to beef up their own security and ensure that Ukraine will still be protected.

European leaders are gathering in Brussels to discuss how to support Ukraine and fend more for themselves on defense.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that France will consider extending the protection of its nuclear arsenal to its allies and that Europe needed to be ready for the US not to be ‘by our side’ in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Paris – French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he will discuss with European allies the possibility of using France's nuclear deterrent to protect the continent from Russian threats, amid concerns over potential U.S. disengagement. France is the only nuclear power in the European Union.