EU says member states can decide to deploy troops to Ukraine
4 Min Read
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Peter Stano expressed that "We must support Ukraine so it can come on top when it comes to its defense. "
-
French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, delivers a speech at the Elysee Palace in Paris on February 26, 2024. (AP)
The EU foreign and security policy spokesperson indicated Tuesday that an EU member state has the right to select the type of military help it provides to Ukraine and that sending soldiers to Ukraine would also be a sovereign option.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Peter Stano expressed that "We must support Ukraine so it can come on top when it comes to its defense. "
The method of support, Stano detailed, was the "responsibility of the member states and their sovereign decision to make."
Read more: 'Israel' to provide Ukraine with missiles, drone alert system: Envoy
The news comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said he could not rule out deploying soldiers to Ukraine, even though Western leaders were unable to achieve an agreement on the issue during a Paris-hosted Ukraine meeting.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Macron's suggestion to immediately intervene in the Ukrainian war had no support among the leaders and that Germany would not consider such an action.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated on Monday his reluctance to supply Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns over the potential of Germany becoming directly involved in the conflict.
Meanwhile, the UK and France have already committed to supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, namely Storm Shadow and Scalp long-range missiles respectively.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated today that Western attempts to stop a Russian victory in Ukraine have no limits, with all means remaining possible.
Attal stated that "you can't rule anything out in a war" a day after French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that dispatching Western ground troops was on the table.
He informed the RTL broadcaster that there was "no consensus" on any "official" deployment of ground troops, however, Attal added, "no dynamic can be ruled out. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that
French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Monday, in a meeting with two dozen European leaders to discuss Ukraine, the formation of a new coalition aimed at providing Ukraine with extended-range missiles and ammunition. He emphasized that the possibility of deploying Western ground forces to engage in combat in Ukraine should not be dismissed.
"There is no consensus today to send ground troops... but nothing should be excluded. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that Russia cannot win this war," Macron said after a meeting of European leaders in Paris.
He stated that the newly formed coalition would be established to deliver "medium and long-range missiles and bombs" to Ukraine, further stating, "We firmly believe that Russia's defeat is essential for the security and stability of Europe."
EU will need to send 20% of defense spending to Ukraine if US cuts aid
According to an EU official who spoke to The Guardian, European nations must devote around 10% of their defense budget to Ukraine for it to win, and this amount will climb to 20% if the US quits assisting Kiev.
European countries are also looking for companies that can enhance ammunition output in the short term, according to the publication.
Earlier this month, Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy stated that Europe would need to quadruple the present amount and timing of military aid to Ukraine to replace the backing Kiev receives from the US in 2024.
Western nations, notably European Union members, have been giving military and financial assistance to Kiev since the beginning of the war in 2022 while the Kremlin has repeatedly cautioned against this, claiming that it will lead to further escalation of the conflict.
