European leaders fail to reach consensus on key issues at Paris meeting - Politico
The emergency meeting of European leaders in Paris, which lasted 3.5 hours, was a ‘complete disappointment’. Despite lengthy discussions, European leaders failed to reach a consensus on key issues, including sending troops to Ukraine and security guarantees.
According to Censor.NET, Politico reports.
"Leaders came up with no new joint ideas, squabbled over sending troops to Ukraine, and once again mouthed platitudes on aiding Ukraine and boosting defense spending."
In particular, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that everyone understands that such meetings do not end with decision-making.
The main dispute was whether to send troops to Ukraine if there is an agreement to end the war. US President Donald Trump has ruled out both sending US troops and allowing Ukraine to join NATO, implying that any efforts to prevent Russia from attacking Ukraine again should be carried out by Europeans.
The United States also sent a questionnaire to European NATO allies asking them to identify their capacity to support a peace deal, but no consensus was reached.
France and the United Kingdom supported the idea of a peacekeeping contingent, but only if the United States participated. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed that the United States should act as a ‘U.S. backstop’ to deter Russia.
However, Poland, which is a frontline state and one of Ukraine's closest allies, as well as having one of the largest armies in Europe, refused to send its troops.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that any debate about sending peacekeepers was "completely premature" and "highly inappropriate".
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also noted that ‘"many, many" things needed to be clarified before troops can be sent to Ukraine, because it is about the safety of our men and women".
As a reminder, European leaders have expressed their warning about the possible danger of ending hostilities without a peace agreement.
