EU Considers Russia To Prepare For Confrontation With European Countries

JAKARTA Head of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Russia was preparing for confrontation with European democracies as the United States shifted its focus to the Indo-Pacific region.

"(Russia) has massively expanded its military industrial production capacity. This investment sparked a war of aggression in Ukraine as well as preparing for future confrontations with European democracies," Ursula said while speaking at the Danish Royal Military Academy in Copenhagen.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, dozens of countries are willing to prepare peacekeepers in Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.

Britain and France have spearheaded efforts to offer the peacekeeper's plans for Ukraine after US President Donald Trump started talks to press for a peace deal with Russia.

More than 30 countries are expected to engage in so-called 'coalizations' to support Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.

"The ability to contribute will vary, but this will be a significant force, with a large number of countries providing troops," he said.

Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of soldiers from countries that are members of the NATO military alliance stationed in Ukraine.

When asked if peacekeeping forces would be allowed to return fire if targeted, a spokesperson for Starmer said a military planning meeting was underway to discuss details.

Starmer held a virtual meeting on Saturday with leaders from Europe and other countries to build support for the coalition before military planners were scheduled to meet in the UK on Thursday to discuss how the ceasefire could be guaranteed.