Paris, France — Defense ministers from Europe’s five major military powers — France, Germany, Britain, Italy, and Poland — met on Wednesday in Paris to reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s defense amidst ongoing tensions.
In a joint declaration released after the meeting, the ministers agreed to strengthen European support for peace in Ukraine by accelerating defense industrial cooperation projects. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized the importance of bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities, stating that it would be "one of the first security guarantees" for Kyiv.
"The true guarantee of long-term security will be the capacities that we can provide to the Ukrainian army," Lecornu told reporters during a joint press conference.
Echoing this sentiment, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto remarked, "There will be no future for Ukraine without the ability to defend itself."
The ministers also agreed to consolidate their common approach to European defense within the frameworks of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In their declaration, they committed to maintaining a "strong" transatlantic bond while significantly increasing Europe’s contribution to the continent’s deterrence and defense.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the need for greater collaboration among European countries. He proposed simplifying administrative processes at both national and European levels to standardize weapon systems across different nations. "European countries need to work together on European security," Pistorius said.
The meeting underscored Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and enhancing collective defense strategies. As the continent faces evolving security challenges, these united efforts aim to promote stability and peace in the region.
