European leaders to try to produce Ukraine support plans

European leaders will meet in Paris on Thursday to support Ukraine’s support, a “alliance of those who want” who wants to help the war -torn country to fight against Russia despite the American commitment and eventually protecting peace.

France and Britain lead these efforts, which led to an initial meeting In Paris In February and the second In London Earlier this month, as well as Groups of senior military commanders. More than 30 officials are expected to attend the meeting on Thursday, especially the heads of state and the European government, as well as senior representatives of the European Union.

Who is ready to do what is in this coalition, is still unclear, especially at a time when low growth and high debts are The equation is complicated For European countries that try to spend more on the trains.

The biggest question mark is the idea of ​​a possible “power of reassurance” European forces stationed in Ukraine Once the conflict ended, to prevent Russia from repeating its invasion 2022. Britain and France put forward the idea, but so far no other country has committed forces with such force, which is still largely unlimited and that Russia called unacceptable.

However, French officials say that the summit meeting shows that the efforts made by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Kiir Starmer from Britain to stabilize a joint European response that pays off.

“We will remain firmly alongside Ukraine,” Mr. Macron said at a press conference on Wednesday evening, after a meeting in Paris with President Voludimir Zellinski from Ukraine. “The future of the European continent and our security is at stake.”

Mr. Zelinski said that he was hoping to get out of “strong new decisions” from the gathering on Thursday, where the leaders are expected to discuss short -term military aid to Ukraine, and efforts to support the ceasefire in the future and strengthen the Ukrainian army.

It is still unclear the type of role that the United States will be ready to play in European efforts. President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkeov, Call From putting a European power in Ukraine “simplification” and “position and formation” – although the Trump administration has Repeated Europe To do very little to defend himself. Mr. Trump has not shown any willingness to provide American guarantees for Ukrainian security, which Mr. Starmer said would be required for most European countries to think about the commission of forces.

On Wednesday, Mr. Macron reiterated that any European force will not be on the front lines of the conflict and will not be assigned to monitor or enforce the ceasefire-a job that it suggested to fall before the United Nations peace lawyer. Instead, he said, the European forces will be far -headed from the front lines, to deter Russia and help in training and support the Ukrainian forces.

Mr. Macron insisted: “It is a peaceful approach.” “The only people who will start conflict or warring situation are the Russians if they decide to launch a new aggression.”

Mr. Zellinski chanted this, as he told reporters that “no one wants to prolong this war and involve another country.” He said that foreign chaos will control the situation, monitor it, and implement joint training “and” prevent any desire from Russia to return with renewed aggressive waves. “

A senior official in the French presidency, who, in line with the French practice, said the owners of the correspondents, provided that his identity is not disclosed, that European efforts to help Ukraine “have been accomplished transparently and in complete harmony with our American partners, who are interested in this approach and told us that it is good.”

Trump’s sudden policy transformations and urgent European calls to spend more on defense It is a justification for Mr. MacronWho has argued since the beginning of his presidency that Europe needs more “strategic self -rule” and less dependence on American military support.

However, the French official acknowledged that not all countries were ready or able to put forces on the ground.

The official said: “There are different political traditions, because the constitutions are different, because political sensitivities can differ.” “But everyone has their place in building solid security guarantees for Ukraine.”

Mark Landler The reports contributed.