PNN – In a closed-door meeting in Paris, European leaders emphasized the continuation of military and economic pressure on Russia, opposed any premature retreat in light of the US administration’s moves to advance ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, and charted a new path to guarantee European security in light of distrust in transatlantic commitments.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, A meeting of the members of the so-called “Coalition of the willing” was held on Thursday at the Elysee Palace in Paris, attended by senior officials from more than 30 countries. The meeting, in which the two main military powers of Europe, France and Britain, emphasized their sustained military, economic, and political support for Ukraine and explicitly declared that not only was it not time to lift sanctions against Russia, but that Europe must organize itself independently of transatlantic dictates and within a local framework to confront future threats.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a press conference, referred to the complex situation of talks on the Ukrainian ceasefire and the publication of contradictory statements by the American, Russian, and Ukrainian sides, and emphasized the need for European unity to confront Moscow’s tactical games.
Macron stated that the aim of the Paris meeting is to provide immediate support to the Ukrainian armed forces and prepare the ground for a lasting peace.
He added that European countries had reached an agreement on Kiev’s military priorities, including the provision of ammunition, artillery and defense systems. He also announced a 2 billion euro aid package from France to Ukraine and efforts to accelerate the supply of weapons and training for Ukrainian forces.
Referring to efforts to design a ceasefire monitoring system if an agreement is reached, the French President said: It is necessary to consider a specific and professional structure for monitoring the lines of contact, civilian infrastructure and the waters of the Black Sea. He announced that the foreign ministers of the countries present have been tasked with preparing a plan within the next three weeks for effective monitoring of the ceasefire.
In another part of his speech, Macron addressed the issue of “assurance forces” that are to be deployed in specific areas of Ukrainian territory after a peace agreement is reached, with the aim of deterring possible Russian aggression.
Emphasizing that these forces will not replace the Ukrainian army, he said: These forces will only be present in areas previously coordinated with Kiev, and their purpose is solely to create deterrence.
Macron also announced the formation of a joint group of the chiefs of staff of the armed forces of France, Britain, and Ukraine to determine the structure and needs of the future Ukrainian army, and said that this mission would be the starting point for a more detailed planning phase regarding the participation of volunteer countries in Ukraine’s defense reconstruction.
While criticizing some past decisions by the United States and Russia, such as withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, he called for strengthening Europe’s defense architecture and joint investment in the continent’s defense industries.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also claimed, referring to the failure of efforts to achieve a 30-day ceasefire, “Russia is trying to deceive and play for time. We cannot allow this game to continue.”
He announced a deadline to review the possibility of progress in peace talks and said that “Russia should not be allowed to use the path of negotiations to procrastinate.” Reiterating the slogan “peace comes through strength,” he added that today’s meeting in Paris was accompanied by a consensus on the need to strengthen military and economic pressure on Moscow.
He announced that a Ukrainian Defense Contact Group would be convened on April 11, chaired by the British Defense Secretary, to prepare new military packages to continue Kiev’s resistance. New sanctions against Russian energy revenues were also on the agenda.
Responding to reporters’ questions about the possibility of London’s military participation in the form of reassurance forces, the British Prime Minister said that no decision has been finalized, but various plans are being considered and the focus will be on supporting the deterrence capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
Ultimately, today’s Paris meeting is a clear attempt by Europe to regain the initiative in managing the Ukrainian crisis, at a time when distrust in the continued commitment of the United States and concerns about unilaterally handing over the negotiations to Washington have increased.
By emphasizing the independence of the vote and shaping a homegrown framework for peace, European leaders have shown that they are seeking to build an independent security backbone for the Old Continent in the wake of the growing transatlantic divide.
Experts believe that the pro-Ukrainian coalition’s decision to deploy assurance forces, form a ceasefire monitoring structure, and prevent the early lifting of sanctions against Russia indicates that Europe is no longer willing to be a mere bystander in the negotiations. It wants to remain a key player, even if the United States wants to go a different direction.