European leaders have pledged long-term support to Ukraine’s army, with France committing 2 billion euros in military aid. However, there is disagreement on the future “reassurance force” that could be deployed in the event of a truce with Russia.
France and Britain are pushing for a foreign peacekeeping force to deter Russian aggression once a ceasefire is reached. The US has urged Europe to take on more responsibility for Ukraine’s security, but European nations face financial challenges and concerns about sending troops without guarantees.
The Franco-British military delegation will visit Ukraine soon to assess the army’s long-term shape. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proposes a Ukrainian army of 500,000-1 million soldiers as the first line of defense in a peace deal. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the need for a strong Ukrainian army to guarantee security.
While there is no consensus on the reassurance force, leaders agreed that easing sanctions on Russia prematurely would be a strategic mistake. The US has yet to provide guarantees for any European-led effort, and some nations are opposed to sending troops without international backing.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-allies-meet-with-new-aid-security-assurances-mind-2025-03-27