Rapid increase in aid to Ukraine now becomes European consensus – French expert

This opinion was voiced by the deputy director of the French Foundation for Strategic Research, Bruno Tertre, in a comment for an Ukrinform correspondent.

“First of all, he (President Zelensky – ed.) showed calm and amazing courage. He managed to openly express his thoughts to Trump and Vance in a way that no American Republican leader would dare to do publicly. Perhaps Zelensky was inspired by the relative determination of Macron and Starmer, who had already met with Trump and were not afraid to confront him, albeit not as effectively,” the expert noted.

Read also: UK, France to work with Ukraine on ceasefire plan – Starmer

Tertre said it was important to distinguish between the narratives that Trump was being fed by his entourage, such as the claim that Russia had started a war with Ukraine because of its alleged desire to join NATO and the insistence on a ceasefire, and the narratives that were Trump's “personal obsessions,” such as the need for Europeans to finance their own security.

The expert is confident that the EHR, especially the leaders in Germany, have come to a new realization that America is no longer the default security provider and that the “point of no return” in this crisis in the Atlantic Alliance has already been passed. Therefore, after Sunday's meeting in London, at the upcoming summit in Brussels on March 6, there will be unanimity on providing assistance to Ukraine, the expert believes.

Read also: Starmer: 'A number of countries' want to participate in Ukraine peace plan

“What will be almost a consensus is a rapid increase in military aid to Ukraine, with support from the ERA and those who are in a position to help. And a commitment to strengthen our national military efforts along with military support for Ukraine. This will be beneficial for everyone. At best, we will demonstrate that we are taking responsibility. At worst, if the Transatlantic Security Treaty is violated, we will begin to learn to do without them,” Tertre said.

At the same time, the expert noted, replacing American resources with European ones will take at least 10-15 years. In addition, not only technologies will be needed, but also determination to resist the Russians.

Read also: Umerov: Ukraine to receive 5,000 interceptor missiles from Great Britain

“Trump made it clear on Friday that the US will not be a last resort guarantor of European security. The problem for Europeans was that they always assumed that the more we buy from America, the more they protect us. That is no longer the case,” Tertre added.

However, according to the expert, no one, not even Trump, will be able to force Putin to agree to peace, so after the latest events the path to a ceasefire has not become shorter.

Read also: Starmer announces £1.6bn package for Ukraine air defence missiles

As reported by Ukrinform, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the EU leaders' summit on Ukraine in London that the European Commission would soon present a plan for the rearmament of the EU.

Photo: Koser/Hannah Assoulin