Defence ministers from around 30 countries met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss forming a potential reassurance force for Ukraine, should a ceasefire be reached with Russia.
The meeting, led by Britain and France, took place at NATO headquarters. It was part of ongoing talks among European nations on how to help secure Ukraine's future, especially if U.S.-led negotiations with Moscow succeed.
"Together we're stepping up as one," said British Defence Secretary John Healey, "ready to secure Ukraine’s future following any peace deal."
The group includes about 200 military planners, mostly from the UK and France, but also from other European allies. Discussions have covered land, air and sea operations, and how to further strengthen Ukraine’s defence.
France’s defence minister, Sebastien Lecornu, said the first priority was ensuring that Ukraine does not face demilitarisation under any agreement.
Many European officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready for peace. Still, they want to show U.S. President Donald Trump that Europe is prepared to contribute if a ceasefire is brokered.
Trump has said Europe must take the lead in securing any post-war settlement. But so far, he has not guaranteed that U.S. forces would help with intelligence or logistics.
Several ministers said they were open to joining a reassurance force, but needed more clarity. That includes the mission’s goals, its rules of engagement, and how it would respond to any Russian escalation.
Sweden’s defence minister said participation wasn’t off the table, but more answers were needed. Dutch minister Ruben Brekelmans echoed that, saying countries must first understand the risks and responsibilities before committing troops.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Europe experienced its most extensive flooding since 2013 last year, with 30% of the continent’s river network impacted by severe floods, according to a joint report by the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit San Diego County on Monday, shaking homes and disrupting daily life across the region. Originating near Julian, the tremor was felt in San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties, with residents noting its intensity and duration.
A sandstorm in Najaf, Iraq, has drastically reduced visibility and disrupted daily life, causing major traffic problems and challenging both residents and authorities.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Asian markets edged higher on Tuesday, lifted by gains in auto stocks after US President Donald Trump suggested he might ease tariffs on vehicles.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio by phone, discussing the situations in Syria, Gaza, and efforts for a Ukraine ceasefire, according to diplomatic sources.
NORAD has monitored a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, confirming it remained in international airspace and posed no threat.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The death toll from the catastrophic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo has risen to 98, with more than 160 people injured, according to Dominican authorities.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio by phone, discussing the situations in Syria, Gaza, and efforts for a Ukraine ceasefire, according to diplomatic sources.
NORAD has monitored a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, confirming it remained in international airspace and posed no threat.
The European Union is drafting its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, to be discussed at a foreign ministers' meeting in May, according to the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said reaching a peace agreement with the United States over the war in Ukraine remains difficult, as Moscow stands firm on its demands and vows never to return to economic dependence on the West.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 15th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Asian markets edged higher on Tuesday, lifted by gains in auto stocks after US President Donald Trump suggested he might ease tariffs on vehicles.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio by phone, discussing the situations in Syria, Gaza, and efforts for a Ukraine ceasefire, according to diplomatic sources.
NORAD has monitored a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, confirming it remained in international airspace and posed no threat.
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