Britain and France are planning to create a coalition of countries to secure a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, despite Russia’s rejection of such a coalition as part of any settlement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain hopes to bring multiple countries on board to send a signal to President Trump that Europe is ready to take the lead in the situation.
Countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, in addition to Britain and France, are likely candidates to join the coalition. However, they face political and economic obstacles that may hinder their participation. The coalition aims to provide military aid to Ukraine, ensure a seat at the table for Kyiv in peace negotiations, and enhance defensive capabilities post-settlement.
President Emmanuel Macron of France proposed that the coalition begin with a one-month truce between Ukraine and Russia, followed by negotiations for a peace deal. France and Britain are hoping to prevent any immediate deployment of peacekeeping troops until a lasting peace is achieved.
Italy’s prime minister remains skeptical of deploying troops for peacekeeping, and Hungary and Slovakia have resisted additional European aid to Ukraine. European leaders are concerned about Hungary holding up decisions related to keeping Russian assets frozen. A European Council meeting on Thursday is expected to address supporting Ukraine and strengthening defense capabilities across the EU.
While efforts are being made to form a strong European coalition, there are doubts about whether it will satisfy President Trump. He is reportedly considering suspending U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which could have implications for the situation. The diplomatic risks for Prime Minister Starmer, who is trying to navigate ties between Europe and the U.S., are significant.
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