Military Officials Convene in Britain to Strategize Defense for Ukraine
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Synopsis
Military leaders from around 30 nations met in London to discuss strategies for defending Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity of security arrangements to ensure any peace deal is upheld.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting of military chiefs from 30 countries in Britain.
- Focus on the operationalization of the "coalition of the willing".
- Security arrangements are crucial for a lasting peace deal.
- U.S. involvement deemed necessary for effective measures against Russia.
- Kiev demands direct participation in peace talks.
London, March 21 (NationPress) Military leaders from approximately 30 nations convened in Britain to deliberate on the operational framework of the so-called "coalition of the willing" aimed at defending Ukraine in the future.
"Everyone desires a peaceful resolution, a sustainable peace, particularly the Ukrainians. However, that peace will only endure if there are security measures established to guarantee that any agreement reached is a protected agreement," stated British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday during the private meeting at the Northwood military base near London.
Britain has assumed a pivotal role in coordinating Western assistance for Ukraine alongside France, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump caught Europe off guard by initiating dialogues with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Starmer emphasized that prior discussions involving global political figures had fostered a shared understanding that "we must collaborate to ensure that any agreement established is safeguarded."
"What transpires here is transforming that political aspiration into tangible action. The idea into actionable plans, whether concerning maritime, aerial, or ground operations," Starmer articulated.
According to The Guardian, Starmer's remarks highlighted the transition into an operational phase, as revealed by a Downing Street source.
"The objective of these security frameworks is to communicate to Russia that any violation of an agreement will incur significant repercussions," Starmer informed reporters post-meeting. "This is why U.S. participation will be crucial," he added.
Countries present at the gathering included France, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Canada, Australia, and the United States, as reported by The Guardian. However, the U.S. has yet to commit to backing any Western military presence in Ukraine.
In reaction, the Kremlin on Thursday accused European nations of pursuing "militarization" instead of peace.
"Europe has initiated a militarization process and has become somewhat of a war faction," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
Meanwhile, the upcoming round of Russia-U.S. discussions regarding Ukraine is slated to occur on Monday next week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as shared by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Trump and Putin held a phone call, agreeing on preliminary steps towards peace in Ukraine.
However, Kiev has reiterated its call for direct participation in peace negotiations, with major European nations reaffirming their support for Ukraine's demands.
