The French government calls on the European Union to provide long-term and systematic support to the Ukrainian army
Following another round of diplomatic negotiations and internal consultations across European countries, there is an increasing understanding of the necessity to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capacity for the long term. This includes the most influential countries within the European Union. France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, emphasized the importance of a strategic approach to aid Kyiv in his statement, highlighting that Europe needs to develop a clear, coordinated, and long-term plan for supporting Ukraine’s defense sector. This comes ahead of yet another set of key diplomatic and military negotiations that could determine the future course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Source: Report from the meeting of the defense ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom in Rome, published on the informational platforms “Ukrinform” and “European Truth.” According to Lecornu, European politicians are already beginning to work on a detailed plan to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities in the long run. “We recognize that the current situation is inseparably linked to significant political and military uncertainty. Russia does not hide its intentions regarding ‘demilitarization’ of Ukraine, and this is not just rhetoric but part of its official discourse at the Moscow level. In this context, it is crucial not only to support Ukraine in the short term but also to focus on medium- and long-term strategies,” Lecornu stressed. He also noted that creating a clear system of assistance and strengthening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities is key, as Kyiv is currently under considerable pressure from Russian demands and strategies aimed at reducing Ukraine’s military resilience. The minister stated that efforts should be directed not only toward addressing immediate needs but also toward laying the foundation for sustainable and self-sufficient defense in the future. Therefore, mobilizing financial resources and utilizing all possible tools—both at the state level and within the EU—is an integral part of this strategy. It is particularly critical that European unity on this issue is growing at a time when Russia declares the need to “reduce military presence” in Ukraine, which opens a new phase of the conflict and causes additional concern among experts and diplomats. As a reminder, on May 16 in Istanbul, negotiations took place between representatives of Ukraine and Russia, which have already proven their complex nature multiple times. According to media reports, Moscow demanded strict territorial concessions, including urging Kyiv to accept the status of a neutral state without foreign troops and weapons of mass destruction, and to recognize the loss of control over Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, such as Crimea and several other regions. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a joint phone briefing with leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland, along with U.S. President Donald Trump. During this conversation, senior officials discussed the further development of the situation, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warning that very difficult days may lie ahead for Ukraine and the entire region. Overall, the situation in the region remains complex and tense, with key European countries continuing to advocate for increased support for Ukraine, emphasizing that long-term assistance to bolster its defense capabilities should become a primary goal of foreign policy in this difficult time. At the same time, diplomatic circles are revealing more signals about the need to mobilize not only financial resources but also human resources, political will, and strategic vision to ensure the sustainable independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.