The defence ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland met in Paris on Wednesday, vowing to take concrete steps to strengthen European defence and provide security guarantees for Ukraine, as Washington pursues rapprochement with Moscow.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov was invited to attend an initial meeting focused on aid for his country, followed by a second session dedicated to enhancing European defence capabilities.
“European nations are stepping up. By deepening our defence cooperation, boosting spending, and enhancing our collective strength, we send a clear message: we will not waver in standing with Ukraine and defending our shared values,” said Britain’s Defence Secretary, John Healey.
France and Britain, Europe’s two nuclear powers, have reportedly worked closely in recent weeks to rally European support for Ukraine amid uncertainty over US policy.
The meetings, held at the Val-de-Grâce former military hospital in Paris, were also attended by European Union and NATO officials.
These discussions follow a rare meeting in Paris on Tuesday, where 34 army chiefs from NATO countries, as well as Japan and Australia, convened without their US counterparts.
Talks centered on supporting Ukraine and exploring security guarantees for a future peace deal, including the potential deployment of European peacekeepers.
US President Donald Trump’s push to forge closer ties with Russia and swiftly end the Ukraine war has disrupted years of Western defence strategy, prompting European nations to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine and accelerate rearmament efforts.
