PARIS – Defence ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland convened in Paris on Wednesday, vowing concrete measures to strengthen European defence and provide security guarantees for Ukraine amid shifting U.S. foreign policy dynamics.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov joined an initial session focused on military aid for Ukraine, followed by discussions on enhancing Europe’s defence capabilities.
“European nations are stepping up,” said Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey. “By deepening cooperation, increasing spending, and strengthening our collective security, we send a clear message: we will stand firm with Ukraine and uphold our shared values.”
Amid uncertainty over U.S. support, France and Britain have intensified efforts to unify European backing for Ukraine. The meetings, held at Paris’ historic Val-de-Grâce, also included officials from NATO and the European Union.
The gathering followed rare high-level military talks on Tuesday, where army chiefs from NATO, Japan, and Australia—excluding the U.S.—discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, including potential European peacekeeping missions.
With U.S. President Donald Trump pursuing closer ties with Russia and a swift resolution to the Ukraine war, European leaders are reassessing defence strategies. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to move from ideas to actionable plans, ensuring lasting security guarantees for Ukraine. A press conference was scheduled for 1830 CET following the discussions.