Macron wants to hurry with European ‘reassuring power’

Emmanuel Macron did his utmost again to not take Donald Trump too much against the hair, Thursday in a European consultation in the Élysée over Ukraine. The French president opened his press conference with compliments to his American counterpart with his attempts to reach peace in Ukraine. He also kept Trump informed by telephone both in advance and afterwards.

At the same time, Macron made it clear that Europe will continue to take its own course when it comes to Ukraine. For example, Macron and other European leaders repeated that Europe does not intend to lift sanctions against Russia before Russian soldiers withdrew from Ukraine. Russia has set Sanction Lighting for consent to a partially cease-fire in the Black Sea, on which Moscow and Washington reached a principle agreement earlier this week.

‘Peace coalition’

Macron had brought Ukrainian President VolodyMyr Zensky and nearly thirty European leaders (also from non-EU member states such as the United Kingdom and Norway) to Paris. Turkey, Canada and Australia also sent delegates and NATO chef Mark Rutte, chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and chairman of the European Council António Costa. Previously, this kind of consultations spoke of one Coalition of the Willing. On Thursday, Macron opted for a new term: the ‘coalition for a strong and sustainable peace’.

What the coalition – informally led by France and the UK – may also be called, it concerns countries and parties that talk about the establishment of a military ‘reassuring power’. Such a power should give Ukraine the certainty that Russia will not violate a possible peace agreement. Many countries, including the Netherlands, only want to contribute to such a mission with soldiers if the US offers security guarantees. But for the time being, President Trump refuses to say that.

Macron believes that Europe should also come up with a plan without a American commitment. He even keeps the option open that France would be willing to support a peace agreement with military means without American backs if necessary. We hope best, the President said on Thursday, but prepare us for the worst.

Shoved: contours quickly clear

For the time being, only France and the UK have openly promised participation in such a power. According to Macron, a few countries still want to participate, but certainly not all countries involved in the deliberation. « That is not necessary, » Prime Minister Dick Schoof told the Dutch press after the meeting. « The point is that a strong signal is issued towards Russia: that we continue to support Ukraine politics, military and financially. »

The point is that a strong signal is issued towards Russia

French and British soldiers will now determine in consultation with Ukraine where European soldiers should be stationed and how many men and women are needed. Schoof said that in the Élysée it was not discussed which country is going to deliver – and therefore not what a possible Dutch contribution would be. It is « knowing that sending Dutch troops is sensitive » – ​​especially because the PVV is against this. The prime minister expects that « within a few weeks » the contours of the safety plan should be clear. « The military planners are in full swing. »

It is therefore almost required: the rapid negotiations between the US and Russia put pressure on European leaders. Even though the Europeans are skeptical about the peace talks, there must be a plan when it actually reaches an agreement.

Plans

In recent weeks it has been found that as a ceasefire comes closer, the European ambition is watering down. When the US deprived the responsibility for monitoring a file on Europe last month, the discussion was initially about a peace force that would control the ceasefire along a file line-Zensky called the number of 200,000 soldiers. Later it was discussed about a deterrent force that should be so robust that Russia would not get it in his head to violate agreements and to attack again.