Europe has a “quite precise” plan to send troops to Ukraine – said on Sunday in an interview with the British daily Financial Times chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. She added that the European party reached an agreement with the USA in this matter.
– Security guarantees are the most important and absolutely crucial. We have a clear action plan and we have reached an agreement in the White House (…) The work is doing very well – said the head of the EC.
Von der Leyen confirmed that European capitals are working on plans for “distributing multinational troops and security from Americans.”
– The President of the United States Donald Trump assured us that the American presence would be part of security for Ukraine. (…) It was very clear and repeatedly confirmed – emphasized the interlocutor “FT”.
The newspaper reminded that Ukraine demanded specific security guarantees from its Western allies, including the obscurity of the Land Forces, as part of a peace agreement ending the war with Russia.
According to “FT” findings, these army is to include “potentially tens of thousands of soldiers commanded by Europe, supported by the United States, including command and control systems, as well as intelligence and observational resources.” This agreement was agreed during the meeting of Trump, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelanski and high -ranking European leaders.
Three diplomats informed “FT” that on Thursday in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron there will be another high -level meeting, where talks on security guarantees for Ukraine will be continued. According to the sources, it will be attended by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer, Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte and Ursula von der Leyen. The Elysee Palace, asked to confirm this event, refused to comment.
Von der Leyen mentioned that in recent days ministers of defense of countries belonging to the so -called The coalitions of those willing met and “developed quite precise plans”, and also conducted discussions on “the necessary elements needed to efficiently place troops.”
– Of course, this always requires a political decision of a given country, because the distribution of troops is one of the most important sovereign decisions of the nation. (…) But the feeling of urgent action is very large (…) It goes forward. It really takes shape – said the head of the EC.
As “FT” notes, the politician praised Trump's involvement in peaceful efforts, although in recent months European countries have wrapped uncertainty about the position of the US president, who initially entered into conflict with Zelanski and praised Putin.
According to von der Leyen, “Putin has not changed, he is still a predator.” – Trump wants peace, and Putin does not sit down at the negotiating table (…) This means that he has negative experiences with Putin, who does not do what he says more and more often – she said.
– In recent months we had several meetings in which it was obvious that it could be relying on Europeans. (…) It is obvious that when we say something, we do it – she emphasized.
Von der Leyen announced that the EC would determine new financing sources to ensure “sustainable financing of Ukrainian armed forces as a security guarantee.” She added that after the conclusion of any peace agreement, Kiev would need “a lot of soldiers who will need good salaries and of course modern equipment. (…) the EU will certainly have to contribute to this.”
As explained, the existing funding streams from Brussels for Kiev, including budget support, should be kept in peacetime, which means that “additional funds must be provided to the armed forces of Ukraine.” The EU will also maintain financing training for Ukrainian soldiers.
During the interview von der Leyen, she encouraged EU to use EUR 150 billion from the reinforcement fund fund, so that they either conclude contracts with Ukrainian arms companies, or buy a weapon that can be transferred to Kiev.
– The role of the European Commission is crucial in enabling the Member States to finance the increase in defense expenditure. The nature of the war has changed completely – added the head of the EC, pointing to the need to invest by the armed forces of EU countries in drones, air and missile defense, cosmic and cyber abilities.
From London Marta Zabłocka (PAP)
MZB/ AP/
