Ukraine: France and Great Britain agree on “reinsurance troops”

According to the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, many questions are still open to the possible use of a European contingent to monitor a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. “What the activities of this contingent are, his responsibilities, what it can do, how it can be used, who is responsible – there are many questions,” said Selenskyj at a press conference. “So far there are only a few answers.”

Previously, Ukraine supporters had met in Paris. France’s President Emmanuel Macron then announced that a French-British mission should be sent to Ukraine in the coming days in order to prepare a possible European use in the event of a ceasefire.

The “Forces de Réassurance” (roughly: reinsurance troops) are “no peace -resistant troops, they are not used on the front,” said Macron.

He added “several of the states present”, he added with a view to the almost 30 delegations that had taken part in the meeting of the “coalition of the willing”. “No unanimity” is about the sending of European soldiers.

Some states would not have the capacities or the political context does not allow it, he said. The French-British mission should be sent in the coming days to determine “strategic places”, for example, where the European soldiers could later be stationed, said Macron.

France and Great Britain have repeatedly emphasized their willingness to send soldiers to Ukraine. However, many questions remained open.

Ukraine has a very clear idea of ​​the needs and the critical areas in which they wanted to use these European forces. In exchange among the military, places, the number of forces and capacities would be determined. “So nothing is excluded at the present time and we look at the sea, air and land forces,” said Macron.

The summit to support Ukraine dealt with security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire between Kiev and Moscow.

The executive Chancellor Olaf Scholz has once again cited a German participation in a possible peace force in Ukraine. After a summit, he pointed out that at the moment it was not yet clear whether and in what form there will be such a peace force. “In this respect, we focus on what is now obvious.”

This included Scholz the further strengthening of the Ukrainian armed forces. “Germany has been a leader in Europe in recent years and will remain.” In addition, the Chancellor clearly rejected the loosening of sanctions required by Russia. That would be a “serious mistake,” he said. “It makes no sense to end the sanctions.” Europe and the United States should have a common point of view.

Scholz criticized that Moscow had repeatedly added demands in the negotiations on an armistice. “It can be seen very clearly from this that Russia is currently not interested in a real peace.”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the meeting as a further evidence of the unity of Europe. She emphasized that the main thing was to strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces in such a way that this “becomes the best security guarantee for the defense of her country”. “To get peace, Ukraine must be strong, and Europe has to be strong,” she said.

The British Prime Minister Keir Strander accused Russia of playing for time. “We should set a framework and a deadline,” said the Labor politician after the meeting. It was agreed to increase military pressure on Russia by supporting Ukraine with weapons. The British Defense Minister John Healey will lead the next meeting of the Ukraine contact group to coordinate military help on April 11th.