French President Emmanuel Macron said the so-called security forces of post-conflict Ukrainian European military will be in shape for next month.
“I think the structure of the Ukrainian military, the security forces, a fairly accurate plan of action with needs and contributors, and Macron will resolve two contributor questions after hosting 30 countries with Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky and 30 countries, including Britin.
France and the UK have coordinated efforts for European deployment into Ukraine to ensure the most sensitive sites, such as cities, ports and official buildings, to act as a deterrent against future Russian aggression.
However, the coalition has reduced its ambitions in recent weeks amid a division between EU countries, exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s rejection, and has pledged to ensure that the military can rely on the US intelligence report and logistics.
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer said London hosted “more than 200 military planners from 30 countries” this week, and the country “contributed to everything from logistics, command and management to land, air and ocean deployments.”
“This is Europe that we mobilise together behind the peace process on a scale we have never seen in decades,” he said.
However, while some countries, such as Denmark and the Baltic States, have agreed to participate, others, such as Poland and Greece, are reluctant to violate such forces or military equipment, especially if the US does not provide support.
Military officials in France and Britain “we’ll go there so that Ukrainians can tell you exactly what they need and where they want to deploy,” Macron said. “Nothing is off the table, so maritime, air and ground capabilities are taken into consideration.
Zelenskyy urged European allies to move quickly. “We all need one clear plan to agree and start implementing it.”
“It is clear that the strength and size of the Ukrainian army will always be a critical guarantee of our safety,” he added. “We need to build everything around our defense forces, their equipment, their skills, their effectiveness, and more. That’s the foundation.”
The Paris conference comes amidst tensions across the bloc about a US-brokered Black Sea ceasefire that Russia has yet to comply with.
“I agreed that it is clear that Russians are wearing candles today in Paris,” Starmer said. “The collective sense is that Russia is playing the game (and); Putin is back to his old ways.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc’s sanctions on Russia will remain intact until there is “fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.” She also added that the EU will frontload some of the 50 billion euro loans to Ukraine.
The US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire agreed by Kiev was rejected by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the US temporarily suspends sharing military aid and intelligence news. Instead, Moscow has paused its attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days and promised to stop hostility in the Black Sea.
Macron and Zelenskyy also say it is too early to stop the sanctions imposed on Russian lenders. They also suggested that Moscow was not negotiating in good faith, but they were careful not to criticize Trump.
Macron on Wednesday said European troops would respond if Russia attacked it. “If there was a renewed generalized attack on Ukrainian soil, these troops were actually under attack, and that is the framework of our usual involvement.
However, several leaders, including Italian Giorgia Meloni, have prevented the deployment of troops in Ukraine, viewing the debate as “premature.” The eastern countries are also wary of committing their soldiers, unless they can ensure protection from other NATO deployments in their territory.
German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz said at this point, “We are not sure if there will be any debate… we are not sure what it is or whether it is about the international military.”
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He reiterated that US security assurances are “important” and felt that Washington “we will be jointly responsible for the safety of Ukraine and the peace and security of Europe.”
However, France suggested that without US support they would be willing to deploy their troops to Ukraine, highlighting the need for Europe to ensure their own security.
“We need to want the best and prepare for the worst,” Macron said. “So my wish is that Americans continue to be involved in our part, and my wish is that Americans provide real support and active participation in this. But we must prepare for a situation where their support is not that important.”
Additional reports from Anne Sylvein Chasanny of Berlin, Eleni Valvitioti of Athens and Lucy Fisher of London
