Defense ministers from Europe\u2019s five largest military nations\u2014France, Germany, Britain, Italy, and Poland\u2014met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss a new security framework for Ukraine in response to the US-Russia rapprochement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French Defence Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu welcomed the diplomatic progress Washington and Kyiv made in Saudi Arabia, stating that “the ball is in Russia’s court.” A proposed thirty-day ceasefire<\/strong><\/a> agreement now sits on Vladimir Putin\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting took place a day after a rare gathering of 34 military chiefs from NATO countries, as well as Japan and Australia, was held in Paris without the presence of American officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France and Britain have been at the forefront of rallying support for Ukraine as the US appears to be shifting its stance towards Kyiv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lecornu confirmed that “at this stage, 15 countries are interested in continuing the process” of strengthening security guarantees for Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another meeting, again excluding the US, is scheduled in two weeks with all of the defence ministers interested in developing more concrete proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EU defence ministers also underlined they will continue helping Ukraine. The UK has pledged \u00a34.5 billion (\u20ac5.3 billion) in aid for 2025. Poland, France, and others are set to deliver additional military equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ministers also released a joint statement emphasising “the need to ensure stronger European capabilities” by increasing defence budgets and bolstering arms production capacity across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, obstacles remain in achieving a more cohesive European defence strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each national military operates with its own equipment, limiting interoperability and joint training efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stressed the need for a more coordinated approach to military procurement, warning that the continent “cannot afford to waste time on unnecessary bureaucracy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd34 En direct de la conf\u00e9rence de presse des ministres de la D\u00e9fense en format E5 \u2b07\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/SwOks6N8y3<\/a><\/p>— Minist\u00e8re des Arm\u00e9es (@Armees_Gouv) March 12, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> Europe “cannot afford to waste time on unnecessary bureaucracy”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n