European leaders gathered in Paris for a summit to affirm their support for Ukraine and discuss the ongoing conflict with Russia. They agreed unanimously that sanctions on Moscow should not be lifted until peace has been established in Ukraine. Despite widespread concern that the US may ease sanctions to secure a partial ceasefire, leaders emphasized the need for continued pressure on Russia.
During the summit, there were discussions on increasing economic pressure on Russia, accelerating tougher sanctions, and ensuring Russia negotiates in good faith. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned against lifting sanctions prematurely, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more sanctions until Russia halts the war.
The meeting aimed to define security guarantees for Ukraine post-ceasefire, including the deployment of military forces by some coalition members. However, there were disagreements over proposals for a post-truce “reassurance force” and the deployment of European troops to Ukraine. Despite challenges, efforts were made to support the Ukrainian army and plan for the future of Ukraine’s defense.
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that the reassurance force could play a strategic role while emphasizing the importance of a well-equipped Ukrainian army for the future. The UK, France, and Germany planned to collaborate on supporting Ukraine’s army through a new defense contact group. Overall, there was progress towards military aid for Ukraine, but uncertainties remained about the deployment of European troops and the timeline for Putin’s response to ceasefire proposals.
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