Even though the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky he left the third summit of the "willing" (31 countries in total) in Paris saying that "many questions but few answers" have emerged the initiative French-English for a "strength of reassurance" is taking shape more and more. Italy will not participate, the Prime Minister reiterated Giorgia Meloni which calls for greater involvement of the United States and UN.
Ukraine, what the summit of the willing in Paris decided
Several European countries, the French president explained Emmanuel Macron, director of the summit, "are willing to send troops to Ukraine to ensure compliance with a possible peace agreement with Russia". Macron confirmed that "unanimity is lacking" because several countries including Italy have already made it known that they do not intend to participate in the mission. But unanimity is not necessary, added the French president, "we will move forward and work on it. So there will certainly be a reassurance force with several European countries taking sides."
Forces that, according to Macron, do not necessarily have to be "peacekeeping" forces, nor establish themselves "on the contact line" or replace the Ukrainian armed forces but provide Kiev with "long-term support and a deterrent against potential Russian aggression". "I can reassure you of the fact - added Macron - that there is no need for Russia's agreement” on the possible creation of a reassurance force to support Ukraine. “It comes from international law and it is not Russia that will decide what happens on Ukrainian territory.”
Ukraine, what von der Leyen said
In any case, it will only be discussed again when an agreement has been reached, also because so far "Russia is pretending to negotiate but in reality does not want peace". This is why the leaders gathered at the Elysée and the President of the European Commission herself Ursula von der Leyen they agreed that lifting sanctions on Moscow now would be a mistake.
Ukraine, towards a joint Franco-British mission
In the meantime, Kiev's position must be strengthened, politically and militarily. For this reason Paris and London to send joint mission to Ukraine to work on strengthening the Ukrainian army. “The British Prime Minister and I,” Macron added, “are instructing our Chiefs of Defense to send our Franco-British teams to Ukraine in the coming days to prepare in all sectors the configuration of what will be the Ukrainian army of tomorrow.”
Even the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed these decisions: "We brought together 30 countries - he said - who this morning openly declared that it had been a long time since they had seen such a strong Europe, and by that I mean the continent, not the European institutions". Full support for Kiev also came from Germany: the outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz posted a photo next to Volodymyr Zelensky and added: “We will stand by Ukraine as long as necessary.”
Ukraine, how much does Brussels owe Kiev?
The President of the EU Commission, von der Leyen, explained that in the current situation "it is very clear that sanctions remain in force” and the EU “will honour its share of Group of Seven (G7) loan commitments to Ukraine as a matter of priority”. On 20 March, the European Commission announced that it had allocated an additional €7 billion to Ukraine as part of a GXNUMX loan repaid from the proceeds of frozen Russian sovereign assets. Thus, the total amount of credit already allocated by Brussels to Kiev amounts to 4 billion eurosIn total, the EU has pledged to provide Ukraine with around €18 billion in loans repayable with the returns on Russian assets, as part of the €45 billion tranche agreed by the G7.
Ukraine, Italy's position and what Meloni said
As for Italy, Meloni reiterated the position expressed several times in recent days and agreed with the government allies according to which "the commitment of European and Western partners for a just and lasting peace must find its foundation in Euro-Atlantic context, also on the basis of a model that can partly reflect what is foreseen in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty”.
The Article 5 of the Treaty provides for support to member countries in the event of an attack from outside, in which case it would be extended to Ukraine. Meloni reiterated that “no national participation is foreseen in a possible military force on the ground” in Ukraine “and supported the need to extend the partial ceasefire to civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, with the aim of achieving a total ceasefire.
Ukraine: Who Wants Greater US Involvement?
Everyone (not only Meloni) hopes for a greater role for the United States even if not with a Europe "on its knees" in relation to Washington as observed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “There is a kind of paradox,” Macron said, “in seeing the main allies of the United States being the first to be taxed. I hope that President Trump will be able to reverse this decision” because “it is not a good economic idea, it is not a good geopolitical idea and it is not a good idea in terms of timing.”
Ukraine, towards an EU-London agreement on defense?
The third summit of the willing is also rapidly bringing to the surface a possible EU-London defence agreement. According to the Swedish Minister for European Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, rapid progress must be made on a formal security agreement with the UK, especially at a time of high tension over Ukraine, as countries rapidly rearm. A summit in May is being considered as the time when such an agreement could be signed, at least in general terms. But in an interview with Politico The minister said member states were unlikely to sign a security agreement with the UK before negotiations on other “sensitive” issues, including access to UK waters for European fishing fleets, were resolved.
