European Defence Ministers Pledge Stronger Support for Ukraine

UK Defence Secretary Calls for Re-armament to Support Ukraine

By DTD- On Mar 13, 2025

PARIS – Defence ministers from five of Europe’s leading military powers—France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Poland—met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss stepping up military support for Ukraine, emphasizing that Kyiv’s long-term security depends on a well-equipped army, not post-war demilitarisation.

At a press conference following the meeting, the ministers acknowledged the challenges posed by the new administration of US President Donald Trump, which is seeking direct negotiations with Russia to end the war sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, they stressed that Europe was ready to stand on its own in addressing the situation.

French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu dismissed any idea of demilitarising Ukraine after the war, stating, “The real guarantee of long-term security will be the capabilities that we will be able to give to the Ukrainian army.” He pointed out that about fifteen countries had already shown interest in helping to create a lasting security framework for Ukraine, while cautioning that discussions about European troops on Ukrainian soil were premature.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of helping Ukraine to keep Russia at bay. “We must help Ukraine to keep Russia as far from our states as possible,” he said.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius expressed confidence that Europe would emerge stronger if it acted decisively. “If we choose security in Europe over the nitty-gritty of national interest, we will emerge from this situation strengthened,” he said.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey added that European allies must “step up” and re-arm to support Ukraine, noting that they were building a coalition to accelerate this process. He also referenced the recent agreement between Ukraine and the US for a 30-day ceasefire, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to prove his commitment to peace by accepting the ceasefire and engaging in serious negotiations.

The meeting came after French President Emmanuel Macron called on military chiefs from across Europe and beyond to move from conceptual discussions to concrete plans for “credible security guarantees” for Ukraine, especially in the event of a ceasefire.

This gathering follows a broader international conference held in Paris on Tuesday, which included representatives from 34 countries, excluding the United States, to discuss future security arrangements for Ukraine.