Security guarantees for Ukraine without troops from Luxembourg

The « coalition of the willing » drives the plans for the support of Ukraine after a possible ceasefire with Russia. The group led by France and Great Britain came together for the first time in Brussels at the level of the Defense Minister in order to work on concepts for security guarantees. These are intended to enable Ukraine to get involved with a new Russian attack on an armistice without major fears.

Defense Minister Yuriko Backes (DP) took part in the meeting in the Belgian capital for Luxembourg. Luxembourg could contribute to such a coalition under a number of conditions that other countries also have to meet. « The precise design of these measures depends on political decisions that are made by the government in due course. And of course they also have to be discussed in the chamber and supported by it. But we are not that far today, » Backes told the « word » after the meeting.

It is important, according to the Minister, to open the Ukrainian army the opportunity to regenerate and to further support their training so that « no second February 2022 can take place ».

The British Defense Minister John Healey said to the greeting of the participants from around 30 countries that it was about securing airspace and the sea routes. In addition, one wants to support a possible peace on land and the Ukrainian armed forces.

Russia does not want soldiers from NATO countries in Ukraine

According to French information, the « coalition of the willing » is used to work on a concept for monitoring a possible ceasefire as well as plans for even greater support for the Ukrainian armed forces through training and arms. Ideally, this should become so powerful that Russia does not dare to aggresses.

The Grand Duchy potentially has skills in the area of ​​satellite and drone monitoring, which could be used in the event of an armistice and the possible activation of the coalition. However, whether these will come into play will also be the subject of leading discussions.

The conversation is also in the conversation to station European armed forces on the Ukrainian western border. It is currently unlikely that soldiers from NATO countries are sent to Ukraine to Ukraine to a greater extent. Minister Backes also excluded troops for Luxembourg.

The reason is statements from the Russian side, according to which such a step in negotiations on an armistice would have to be excluded.

According to the EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas, it is also conceivable that European soldiers will also train the forces there in Ukraine in the future. This is one of the topics that are discussed, she said on the sidelines of the meeting. She pointed out that the EU has already trained more than 73,000 Ukrainian soldiers outside of Ukraine.

Trump’s course is concerned about Europeans

The « coalition of the willing » was founded, after US President Donald Trump announced that he wanted to move Kiev and Moscow as quickly as possible to the end of a ceasefire agreement. Many Europeans fear that during negotiations in particular, Ukraine would have to make concessions and that the country could soon become the victim of a Russian attack without credible security guarantees. In addition, it is not excluded that the United States could stop military aid as a means of pressure against Ukraine.

« We don’t want war with Russia, » emphasizes Backes. « But we have to prepare for it. Because nothing to do and then wait and see whether the ceasefire or the peace agreement takes effect, it would not be good in the long run. » In addition, Russia should not be able to use a possible breathing space to position itself militarily new and better. « We also want to avoid that with this coalition. »

The group last met at the high political level at the end of March. At that time, at the invitation of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, top representatives from around 30 countries traveled to Paris.

/with dpa