Consultations in Paris
26 countries want to provide troops for Ukraine peace
How far does Europe want to go with the support of Ukraine? In Paris, 26 countries give commitments for security guarantees, Germany is still covered. But are the United States on board at all?
26 western countries are ready to send troops to secure an armistice or peace between Russia and Ukraine. This was announced by France President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after advice from the so-called coalition of the willing in Paris.
The countries have agreed to use ground troops or forces in the air or at sea, said von der Leyen. In Paris, it was not said in Paris which countries specifically participate in how many soldiers and in what way.
Germany is still covered
In any case, Germany did not want to commit to participation. First of all, the focus would have to focus on financing, armament and training of the Ukrainian armed forces, said Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), who was activated for the Parisian consultations, according to his government appraiser. The strengthening of the Ukrainian army after the end of the war was also referred to at the meeting in Paris as the most important element of security guarantees for the country, apart from a posting of troops.
“This force has neither the will nor the goal of waging wars against Russia, but is intended to secure peace and set a clear strategic signal,” said Macron. “It will be used as part of a ceasefire, not on the front line, but in areas that are currently being set, but it should prevent any new greater aggression and clearly include the 26 countries to the permanent security of Ukraine.”
According to military circles, a troop presence of European NATO countries in Ukraine could primarily be a large-scale training. Accordingly, it is not about a peace force in the classic sense.
Access from Washington is a long time coming
The main burden of an assignment would bear the European NATO members. The Europeans had repeatedly made it clear that it would not be possible without reinsurance through the United States. After the recent visit to the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in Washington, who had the heads of state and government of the most important European allies in tow, it looked as if US President Donald Trump was moving. But concrete commitments from Washington were long in coming.
Steve Witkoff, the US specialist, traveled to the Pariser meeting, and then Trump was informed during a one and a half hour call. “The results of this phone call are simple. In the next few days we will finalize the support of the USA for these security guarantees,” said Macron – without further responding to the specific role of the USA.
Do Moscow threaten new sanctions?
35 heads of state and government – partly activated on site and by video – had also advised under the chair of Macron and the British Prime Minister Keir Karrmer, in addition to security guarantees, also about political and military promises in the event of another Russian aggression. During the phone call with Trump, there were also new sanctions to stop Russia’s war effort when Moscow continues to reject concrete peace talks, said Macron. In this regard, there will be another contacts between Americans and Russians.
In the discussion about the provision of troops, most members of the coalition have so far taken a waiting attitude. France and Great Britain agreed to send some thousand soldiers. There was also a promise from Denmark, Estonia and Lithuania. Sweden was ready to secure peace in Ukraine through airspace monitoring and from the sea. The Netherlands said they could help both in the air as well as water and land.
The Czech Republic considers the discussion about the use of soldiers premature, Lithuania was cautious. Spain and Portugal indicated months ago that they could possibly participate in a peace mission. Greece, Slovakia, Italy, Cyprus, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary made a cancellation of soldiers. However, many of these countries were ready to support the securing of future peace in Ukraine in other ways, such as logistical help or the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
Putin remains with old demands
Whether there is a peace solution at all remains open. Russia is ready to continue waging war if there is no agreement that Moscow is approved, said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. The spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Sacharova, said that Russia rejects the western considerations for security guarantees, including the posting of troops from NATO countries to Ukraine. “Russia will not discuss a deeply unacceptable and every security undergravating foreign intervention in Ukraine,” she said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the ongoing plans for European troops in Ukraine after a possible ceasefire with Russia. The Dutch made it clear that in his view it does not matter that Moscow rejects such a troop presence. “Why should we be interested in what Russia thinks about troops in Ukraine?” He asked rhetorically at an event in Prague. Ukraine is a sovereign country. And it was not about Russia to decide on a troop presence.
dpa
Source: Stern
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