JAKARTA - Britain's defense ministers, France, Germany, Italy and Poland met in Paris on Wednesday. The meeting promised concrete steps to bolster Europe's defenses and provide security guarantees for Ukraine as Washington seeks to restore relations with Moscow.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was invited to attend an initial meeting to discuss aid for his country, after which the second meeting will focus on developing European defense capabilities.
"European countries are increasing support," said British Defense Secretary John Healey.
"By deepening defense cooperation, increasing spending, and increasing collective power, we send a clear message: we will not falter in supporting Ukraine and maintaining our common values".
he continued.
France and Britain, two countries that own nuclear weapons in Europe, have worked closely together over the past few weeks to garner European support for Ukraine amid US uncertainty.
The meeting, which was held at the former Val-de-Grwarce military hospital in Paris, will also be attended by EU and NATO officials. The meeting came a day after 34 army chiefs, from NATO and Japan and Australia, met in Paris for rare talks that did not involve their US counterparts.
They focus on supporting Ukraine and providing security guarantees for future peace agreements, including the provision of a potential European peacekeeping force.
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US President Donald Trump's steps to build closer ties with Russia and seek to immediately end Ukraine's war have changed the thinking of Western defenses over the years, prompting European countries to promise support for Ukraine and discuss rapid weapons.
Following Tuesday's meeting, French President Macron said the time had come to "transfer from concept to plan" to define credible security guarantees to ensure solid and lasting peace in Ukraine, according to an Elysee Palace source.
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