Disunited Europe: Collision of Views Regarding Troop Deployment in Ukraine
European leaders are set to convene in Paris on Thursday for a summit co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance. The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine and a review of Russia's refusal to negotiate.
The tension between Russia and its neighbouring countries, particularly Poland and the Baltic states, has been a pressing concern. These nations view Russia as an immediate threat that requires firm deterrence. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has emphasised the importance of security guarantees as paramount for a potential multinational deployment to Ukraine.
President Trump has reportedly reassured von der Leyen that there will be an American presence as part of the backstop for this deployment. However, Trump has made clear that while the U.S. will provide intelligence and technological support, American troops will not be deployed in Ukraine. Instead, the United States plays a supportive but crucial role by guaranteeing a response if European troops are attacked and considering the sale of Patriot missile systems to European allies for Ukraine's use.
The range of topics to be discussed at the Paris summit includes diplomacy, financial pledges, and vague talk of peacekeeping forces. Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders at the White House to press for a framework leading to peace.
Many in Europe are unconvinced about a potential multinational deployment to Ukraine due to a lack of manpower and political will. Recruitment numbers for potential troops are falling in Europe. Germany remains politically resistant to the idea of sending soldiers to Ukraine, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating that nobody is talking about ground troops in Ukraine at this point.
Instead, the European countries discussing a joint readiness for deployment in Ukraine include mainly London (UK), Paris (France), and Berlin (Germany), with broader talks involving about 30 primarily European states. Key figures also mentioned are Italy, Poland, and Finland along with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen also mentioned that European capitals have a clear road map with U.S. backing for this deployment. Merz, however, emphasised that Kyiv's best security guarantee is a strong national army.
As von der Leyen travels through eastern Europe, she is urging higher defense spending and emphasising the urgency of preparations. The governments in Europe are already struggling to meet NATO readiness commitments, making the need for a united front even more pressing. The Paris summit promises to be a crucial step in addressing these concerns and finding a path towards a more secure and peaceful future for Ukraine and its neighbours.
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