Western army chiefs gathered in Paris on Tuesday for a rare meeting without their US counterparts, seeking to take on more responsibility over the Ukraine war. The closed-door gathering, attended by over 30 top military officials from Washington’s closest allies, aimed to assess options and capabilities to guarantee Ukraine’s security after a potential ceasefire.
The meeting was seen as an attempt to demonstrate unity among Europe and other partners in the face of US unpredictability under President Donald Trump’s presidency. Trump has been pressuring Ukraine to agree to peace and has endorsed Russia’s demands, including denying Ukraine NATO membership.
European officials expressed concerns over Trump’s moves, drawing countries like Japan and Australia into the conversation. The French Defence Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, emphasized the importance of a strong Ukrainian army for security guarantees, stating that demilitarisation is not on the table.
The talks focused on post-ceasefire ideas, including potential European peacekeepers to guarantee Ukraine’s security. The meeting was largely seen as pre-planning, with officials acknowledging that some issues require US involvement.
A senior European official noted that while Trump has distanced himself from allies, the gathering showed a deeper malaise among Washington’s traditional partners. The absence of the US also highlighted Europe’s willingness to take on more responsibility in supporting Ukraine.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rare-meeting-without-us-ally-western-army-chiefs-meet-show-ukraine-unity-2025-03-11