Strong statements from Europe

The American Ukraine PAC is focused on American politics. But, recently several European leaders made some strong statements on Ukraine.

Additionally, these statements highlight Europe’s new commitment to its own defense and increasing its defense spending, long an American goal.

French President Macron speaks simple, clear truths about European commitment to defense and military security:

The Guardian reported that France is proceeding on a plan to send troops to Ukraine.

Quoted from the French President:

 “Under no circumstances can the Ukrainians make territorial concessions without having any security guarantees.”

Moscow has firmly opposed such a deployment, but Macron said Russia’s permission was not needed. He said Ukraine was sovereign. “If Ukraine requests allied forces to be on its territory, it is not up to Russia to accept or reject them.”

“several European countries, and indeed non-European ones” had “expressed their willingness” to join a possible deployment to Ukraine to secure a future peace agreement with Russia.

In another interview, The French President said:

We cannot forget that Russia began to invade Ukraine in 2014 and we then negotiated a ceasefire in Minsk. And the same Russia did not respect this ceasefire. Today, we can no longer take Russia's word for it.

Ukraine has the right to peace and security for itself, and it is in our interest and in the interest of the security of the European continent. It is in this sense that we are working with our British, German and several other European friends.

Who can believe, in this context, that today's Russia will stop at Ukraine? Russia has become, a threat to France and to Europe.

I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection through our nuclear deterrence of our allies on the European continent. Responding to the historic call of the future German Chancellor [Friedrich Merz] , I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection through our nuclear deterrence of our allies on the European continent.

Friedrich Merz, incoming German Chancellor, tells lawmakers that his proposed package of defense spending and reforms was primarily motivated by “Putin’s war of aggression against Europe”.

Note, against Europe. Not simply a War of Aggression against Ukraine.