European leaders scramble for Ukraine strategy in Paris summit

European leaders at an emergency summit in Paris talked up greater defence spending but were divided over the notion of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine to support any peace deal, Reuters reported on February 18th. 

French President Emmanuel Macron convened European leaders on February 17th to discuss their role in an eventual ceasefire in Ukraine.

European leaders meeting at the Elysée Palace said it would be dangerous for Kyiv to agree to a ceasefire without a negotiated peace plan, Reuters reported.  

They unanimously agreed they would be prepared to give Ukraine security guarantees “depending on the level of American support” according to an European official. 

Macron and Trump spoke on the phone before the meetings, with a White House official labelling it “a friendly call”.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on X after a lengthy call with Macron on security: “We share a common vision: security guarantees must be robust and reliable.”

Zelenskiy added: “Any other decision without such guarantees — such as a fragile ceasefire — would only serve as another deception by Russia and a prelude to a new Russian war against Ukraine or other European nations.”

A key focus of the discussions was strengthening the continent’s military capabilities. 

The leaders were split over deploying peacekeeping European troops to Ukraine as part of a post-war settlement. 

NATO chief Mark Rutte defined Europe’s position following the Paris meeting as “ready and willing.” Rutte added: “The details will need to be decided but the commitment is clear.”

Starmer said at the meeting a US security guarantee was needed for European countries to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

“There must be a US backstop, because a U.S. security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again,” Starmer told reporters.

Starmer said as of yet it is too early to say many British troops he would be willing to send over.

He said the Paris summit was a “once in a generation” moment for the continent’s national security.

A peacekeeping mission would not only increase the prospect of direct confrontation with Russia, which started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but would also put pressure on European armies, whose supplies have been decreased by supplying Ukraine and decades of comparative peace.

It also raises challenging questions about how European nations will finance increased military spending with some countries’ public finances struggling.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said there was “absolutely a possibility” of sending Swedish peacekeepers if there were established guidelines.

Germany said it “will not shy away” from sending ground troops but wouldn’t likely reach agreements in Paris.

Nonetheless, Ukraine’s neighbour Poland, said it would not provide troops, while Spain said its too early to discuss sending troops.

The meeting came amid concerns that Trump will sideline Europe out of peace negotiations with Moscow which will ultimately also exclude Kyiv. 

Zelenskiy has said Kyiv would reject a deal negotiated without Kyiv being involved, according to CNN.

Reuters, CNN, RFI, RBC-Ukraine