Europe after the meeting: Must build up

Europe after the meeting: Must build up

The need for European armament is the most important message from the Paris meeting, according to Denmark's Prime Minister. Russia is now a threat to all of Europe, says Mette Frederiksen after the meeting.

Besides the sensitive issue of peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, the European leaders discussed the need for military buildup.

The meeting in Paris had been hastily convened by France's President Emmanuel Macron since the USA sent shockwaves through Europe during the security meeting in Munich over the weekend.

We must build up to ensure that Russia does not move the war further into Europe, said Frederiksen, who also represented the Nordic and Baltic countries in Paris.

Frederiksen said that Denmark is open to many measures, but wants clarifications before taking a stance on Danish soldiers in Ukraine.

It is still far too early to discuss peacekeeping forces to Ukraine since the war is still ongoing, said a self-proclaimed "slightly irritated" Olaf Scholz.

Germany's Chancellor also said that the USA and Europe must always act together when it comes to security.

Nato is based on us always acting together and sharing the risks, and thereby guaranteeing our security. This must not be questioned.

The UK and Sweden had stated before the meeting that they could consider participating in peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. But American security guarantees are required for this, clarified British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the meeting.

"USA-relations in a new phase"

The USA has, among other things, declared that Europe cannot count on American support for peacekeeping forces in the event of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

European leaders fear that the USA's President Donald Trump will make a peace agreement with Russia's Vladimir Putin, over the heads of Ukraine and Europe.

Europe is aware that its relationship with the USA has entered a new phase, according to Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Paris meeting was unanimous that a "significant increase in defense spending is absolutely necessary", he summarized.

There is no point in getting irritated about our ally USA saying "spend more, get stronger, become more resilient", said Tusk.

Leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as the EU and Nato, participated in the meeting.