Published 02/03/2025 17:44
British Prime Minister Keir Strmer has uttered European leaders to take advantage of a “unique moment in a generation” to strengthen the safety of the continent and reaffirm support for Ukraine in his war against Russia. During a summit held in London on Sunday (2), Stmerer defended greater military cooperation and the creation of a “coalition of the disposites” to develop a peace plan to be presented to US President Donald Trump.
“We are in a crossroads in history today,” said Stmerer. “This is not a time for more conversation. It’s time to act, lead and unite around a new plan for just and lasting peace. ”
Stmerer has announced an agreement that will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds in British funding to buy more than 5,000 air defense missiles. According to him, Europe needs to take a leadership role in the search for a solution to the conflict.
Concerns with Trump and financing of European defense
The summit took place just two days after a clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Trump, during a tense visit by Ukrainian leader to Washington. European leaders emphasized the need to increase defense spending to demonstrate Trump that Europe can protect itself.
With several nations facing financial difficulties, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, suggested the flexibility of the bloc’s debt rules to allow greater defense investment. “After a long period of subinvestment, it is now extremely important to increase investments for a prolonged period,” he said.
Stmerer highlighted three elements essential for a successful peace agreement: Arming Ukrainians to strengthen their position, include European security guarantees, and ensure US support to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from breaking their commitments.
Despite the appeal for greater European autonomy, Stmerer denied the US becoming a less reliable ally. “There are no two countries as aligned as the United Kingdom and the US,” he said.
Alternative proposals and plan B to Ukraine
While European diplomats try to ensure US support, discussions about a “plan B” have gained strength. Italy has proposed a summit between European Union and the US to deal with European security, a proposal supported by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Already Turkey suggested leading direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine under its mediation.
Peter Zalmayev, director of the Eurasia democracy initiative, emphasized the urgency of more security guarantees for Ukraine. “If Europe has not woken up this time, it will never wake up,” said Kiev.
Dome in Brussels and Future Challenges
The meeting in London precedes a summit in Brussels, scheduled for Thursday (7), in which the European Commission will announce a new defense package for Europe and Ukraine. The package aims to reinforce Kiev’s defenses and ensure regional stability in the face of uncertainty about US support.
Zelensky’s visit to London followed a tense meeting at the White House, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized him for rejecting proposed truce and accused him of ingratitude. Trump warned that the posture of the Ukrainian leader could climb the conflict for a global war.
Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy insisted on the importance of strategic partnership between Kiev and Washington. “Despite difficult discussions, we remain strategic partners,” he wrote in X. “But honesty and frankness are essential to understanding our shared goals.”
Trump’s response to the new European movements is still uncertain, but the London summit made it clear that Ukraine’s allies are willing to act regardless of US positioning.
Without military power to face Russia
It remains to be seen whether Europe can defend itself and Ukraine without the US. High US military officers often criticize recent cuts in the British Armed Forces budget, especially in the British army, which now has just over 70,000 regular soldiers.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russia’s military spending is now greater than total defense spending from all over Europe, in terms of purchase parity power. Russian spending has increased 41% and are now equivalent to 6.7% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the country. In contrast, the United Kingdom will spend only 2.5% of Defense GDP by 2027.
This is why Keir Stmerer, the UK Prime Minister, has been pressured by additional US security guarantees, which hold the most powerful military in the world.
Britain is not alone in the movement to cut the investment in the Armed Forces after the end of the Cold War. But this trend begins to be slowly reversed in Europe, with more and more nations expanding defense spending.
But Europe alone would not be able to provide a force of 100,000 to 200,000 international soldiers, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggests that they would be needed to prevent a new attack from Russia. Instead, authorities on the continent say they think of a force of up to 30,000 soldiers. European jets and ships would also help monitor Ukraine airspace and navigation routes.
Europe cannot match the surveillance or US intelligence collection capabilities. But she could agree to continue to provide weapons to Ukraine. Although Europe has recently surpassed the US in terms of the proportion of weapons supplied to Ukraine, a source ensures that the US has provided “the best” equipment – such as long -range missiles and air defense systems.
France is the only other great European power that so far seems to be willing to get involved in military operations in Ukraine. Spain, Italy and Germany for now oppose such an action. With each European involvement in the conflict in Ukraine also increases the risk of climbing that increases risks to other European countries.
Source: vermelho.org.br
