LUDOVIC MARIN ; POOL/EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron.
Strength will consist of “several European countries”, but there has been no agreement on which one will be. Macron had the US, but will prepare a plan in conjunction with the UK without including Trump.
The French President announced this Thursday that there will be a European security force in Ukraine in case of peace, At the end of the Paris summit of the country, which was attended by 33 representatives of countries willing to help Ukraine, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The force will be ensured by “Several European countries”said Emmanuel Macron, quoted by the French agency AFP, without specifying which countries can participate.
According to Macron, it is not a peacekeeping force, nor for the forces present in the front lines, nor forces that replace the Ukrainian army. long -term support And that will function as deterrent to potential Russian aggression, ”he said.
Macron admitted that there was no unanimity among the European allies on the issue, so they will participate in the military force of “some member states” of the coalition that supports Ukraine. The French President said he expected the support of the United States to send a European force, but that You also want to prepare for a scenario without Washington. Macron also said that he will coordinate allies’ efforts on Ukraine in conjunction with British Prime Minister Keir Strmer.
It also announced that a Franco-British mission will move to Ukraine “in the coming days” To prepare decisions on “the format of the Ukrainian army” as well as the eventual sending of forces from allied countries.
And Portugal?
Asked about the possible shipping of military to Ukraine under a peace process, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said he addressed this theme at the meeting.
For Montenegro, an initiative in this regard must have “perspectives of just and lasting peace” and should consider “measures and guarantees of European and transatlantic partners”.
“Portugal will not be out of this effort to preciselywithin these guarantees, we can have a deterrent policy and safety maintenance. But we are still far, far from this phase. We make our commitment to our partners, ”said the prime minister.
On March 15, the Portuguese Prime Minister had already participated for a video conferencing at the London meeting to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, ensuring that Portugal will be next to his allies “to ensure peace and security today and in the future.”
The French President also announced the decision to accelerate the payment of “G7” loans ”by the European Union (EU). Montenegro announced that Portugal today approved a resolution on the Council of Ministers to authorize the execution of expense until “205 million euros For military support to Ukraine. ”So far, Portugal has announced 455 million euros to Ukraine and eight million euros in humanitarian support, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Sanctions against Russia will be increased, not raised
Also confirmed that the allies “unanimously agreed that the Sanctions against Moscow should not be raised”As had already announced the heads of German governments, Olaf Scholz, and British, Keir Stmerer, outside the summit.
Stmerer even stated that, on the contrary, Ukraine’s allies have been discussing how they could “increase sanctions” against Russia.
China must have “very active role” in peace
Macron said he also hoped the Chinese president, Xi Jinping“It can play a very active role” in the promotion of peace in Ukraine.
“Given the quality of his dialogue with Russia, given the peace initiative he took with Brazil a few months ago, I hope President XI can play a very active role to help us build this solid and lasting peace,” he said.
Macron added that “China has all the right to do so, as a permanent member of the Security Council and taking into account the initiatives it has already taken.”
