Von der Leyen: Europe has precise plans for sending military forces to Ukraine
Europe is drafting “very precise plans” for the deployment of multinational troops in Ukraine, as part of post-war security guarantees, which will have the support of U.S. capabilities, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with the Financial Times published today, Sunday.
“President Trump assured us that there will be (an) American presence within the security mechanism,” von der Leyen told the FT, adding that “this was very clear and repeatedly confirmed.”
The deployment is expected to potentially include tens of thousands of troops under European leadership, with U.S. support, including command and control systems and intelligence and surveillance assets, the publication reported, adding that this agreement was reached during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders last month.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and von der Leyen, will meet in Paris next Thursday, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, to continue high-level discussions on Ukraine, the FT emphasized, citing three diplomats briefed on these plans. (31/01/2025)
