Europe's leading military nations reassert backing for Ukraine
On Wednesday in Paris, defense ministers from Europe's leading military powers—France, Germany, Britain, Italy, and Poland—convened to express their backing for the Ukrainian army.
TroibNews 
Defense ministers from Europe’s leading military powers—France, Germany, Britain, Italy, and Poland—gathered in Paris on Wednesday to express their support for the Ukrainian army.
Following their meeting, the ministers released a joint declaration in which they committed to enhancing European support for peace in Ukraine, including fast-tracking defense industrial cooperation projects with the country.
At a joint press conference, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu highlighted that the defense capacity of the Ukrainian army would be "one of the first security guarantees" for Kyiv. He emphasized, "the true guarantee of long-term security will be the capacities that we can provide to the Ukrainian army."
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto added that there would be no future for Ukraine "without the ability to defend itself."
The ministers also agreed to unify their approach to European defense within the frameworks of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In their joint declaration, they affirmed their intention to maintain a "strong" transatlantic bond while significantly boosting Europe’s contribution to the continent’s deterrence and defense efforts.
When asked whether they discussed the creation of an independent European defense system in the event of a U.S. withdrawal, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that this issue has already been a concern for Europe for some time. He suggested that Europe should focus on administrative simplifications at both national and European levels to standardize weapon systems among different countries. According to Pistorius, collaboration among European nations is essential for enhancing European security.
On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following discussions with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as stated in a joint announcement.
These talks, which notably excluded European participation, concluded with Ukraine receiving renewed U.S. security assistance and preliminary approval for American access to the country’s mineral resources. Despite being left out of these negotiations, European leaders expressed their support for the advancements made between the United States and Ukraine while continuing their efforts to fortify continental defense capabilities.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
Following their meeting, the ministers released a joint declaration in which they committed to enhancing European support for peace in Ukraine, including fast-tracking defense industrial cooperation projects with the country.
At a joint press conference, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu highlighted that the defense capacity of the Ukrainian army would be "one of the first security guarantees" for Kyiv. He emphasized, "the true guarantee of long-term security will be the capacities that we can provide to the Ukrainian army."
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto added that there would be no future for Ukraine "without the ability to defend itself."
The ministers also agreed to unify their approach to European defense within the frameworks of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In their joint declaration, they affirmed their intention to maintain a "strong" transatlantic bond while significantly boosting Europe’s contribution to the continent’s deterrence and defense efforts.
When asked whether they discussed the creation of an independent European defense system in the event of a U.S. withdrawal, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that this issue has already been a concern for Europe for some time. He suggested that Europe should focus on administrative simplifications at both national and European levels to standardize weapon systems among different countries. According to Pistorius, collaboration among European nations is essential for enhancing European security.
On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following discussions with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as stated in a joint announcement.
These talks, which notably excluded European participation, concluded with Ukraine receiving renewed U.S. security assistance and preliminary approval for American access to the country’s mineral resources. Despite being left out of these negotiations, European leaders expressed their support for the advancements made between the United States and Ukraine while continuing their efforts to fortify continental defense capabilities.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
