Response from Brussels

Europe is moving forward with the establishment of a “alliance of willing” to ensure security guarantees after a possible truce. This was the main agreement of the European leaders who met in London yesterday with the “host” of the meeting with British Prime Minister Kir Starmer, who along with French President Emmanuel Macron are preparing a “truce plan” to present it to Donald Trump, Friday. The two leaders also want a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with the support of the US, however.

At the same time, in Brussels, feverish are the preparations for the Extraordinary European Council that will take place next Thursday, with key issues in Ukraine and the strengthening of European defense.

“The EU is ready to work with all European partners and other allies for a peace plan for Ukraine that guarantees a fair and sustainable peace for Ukrainians,” European Council President Antonio Costa assured in London, while adding to London, while adding to London. Minsk, or in Afghanistan, where there were no “security guarantees”.

“Ukraine needs comprehensive security guarantees” that will support its financial and military position, said Commission President Ursula von der Laene, while noting that the aim is to ensure that Kiev will be in a position of power in any negotiations and that the country will be in force.

With a “veto” threatened Hungary

It is not certain that the Extraordinary European Council will provide final answers to ensuring a sustainable peace in Ukraine, as Hungary is already rejecting the draft of conclusions.

In a letter to Antonio Costa, Hungarian Prime Minister and Trump’s “ally” Victor Orban said that “there are strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged”, while demanding that there are no relevant conclusions, “threatening”.

For this reason, scenarios of the “alliance of willing” are already released within the EU. It is also provided for in Article 44 of the European Treaty that “the Council may delegate the performance of a group of Member States that are willing and have the ability to perform this duty. These Member States, in cooperation with the High Representative of the Union on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, agree with each other on project management. “

Although this article has never been implemented, according to European diplomatic sources, it may allow some Member States to work together to provide “security guarantees” for Ukraine, thereby bypassing Viktor Orban’s “veto”.

Strengthening European Defense

The main issue of the forthcoming meeting in Brussels will also be the options for funding EU defense needs, already estimated at € 500 billion for the next decade. “We must urgently review Europe. And so we will present a complete plan on March 6, “the Commission President said yesterday. Leaders are expecting a letter from von der Layen, which will describe the funding options.

Ideas, such as the use of unauthorized funds by the RRF, cohesion funds, or even a bank in the European Reconstruction and Development Bank (EBRD), say European officials have already been circulating.

Some Member States, such as Poland and Finland, however, are cautious about funding, as the Commission is not wanting the “coordinator” role for their defense needs, as defense remains national jurisdiction, European diplomatic sources explain.

On the basis of the draft of the conclusions, the “27”, however, calls on the Commission “to propose additional sources of funding for defense at European level, including the average additional flexibility for the use of structural funds, and to directly present the relevant proposals”.

Final decisions, however, are not expected before June and after a government set up in Germany.