Europe Busy Responding to US Provocations... Providing Ukraine with Billions of Dollars in Military Package Support

Announcement of Peacekeeping Force Deployment Plans
Trump Positions Himself as 'Mediator'... Expansion of Dialogue with Russia
Europe Moves to Counter Russia's Return to the International Community

Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is speaking at a press conference after the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, on the 24th (local time). /AP Photo·Yonhap News

Donald Trump's provocations have shaken Europe. Europe, which had only contributed about 30% of military support to Ukraine, has now pledged to prepare an 'additional military aid package' worth billions of dollars. Although not a frontline deployment, Europe also announced plans to dispatch its own 'peacekeeping forces.' The Washington Post (WP) analyzed this move as an intention to "prepare for the early stages of US-Russia negotiations."

Kaja Kallas, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated on the 24th (local time) at an event held in Ukraine commemorating the third anniversary of Russia's invasion, "This year, I will urge European countries to prepare an additional military aid package worth billions of dollars for Ukraine."

The event was attended by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S?nchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and leaders of Nordic countries. The US delegation did not attend.

EU Commission President von der Leyen also announced, "The EU plans to deliver $3.6 billion in aid in March." Spain revealed plans to provide over $1 billion in military aid this year, which is additional support beyond the $1 billion provided last year through bilateral security and defense agreements.

This week, ahead of President Trump's US-UK talks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged over $5 billion in military aid and a sanctions package against Russia through a virtual speech. Prime Minister Starmer emphasized, "Russia does not hold all the initiative in this war. We must increase pressure."

French President Emmanuel Macron also mentioned during the US-France summit at the White House that Europe is considering dispatching peacekeeping forces. President Macron said, "We are prepared to send troops, and the deployment is not to the frontline but to enforce the peace agreement," adding, "We hope for strong US involvement to ensure this."

Foreign media pointed out that the shift in Europe's stance, previously focused on supporting Ukraine's reconstruction, is due to President Trump positioning himself as a 'mediator' and Russia's return to the international community. With the US leading ceasefire negotiations, there is a growing concern that Russia might gain the upper hand in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has stimulated Europe. WP diagnosed, "As the Trump administration ends Russia's diplomatic isolation and initiates early talks, Europe's support has become urgent."

According to an analysis by US CNN of military aid amounts to Ukraine by country from January 24, 2022, to October 31, 2024, the United States ranked first with 47%, providing $95 billion?the largest amount by a single country. The EU followed with 32%, and the UK ranked third with 8%. Other significant contributors included Japan at 5% and Canada at 4%. President Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the US's three years of support, stating he wants compensation equivalent to $500 billion worth of rare earth elements. In fact, he is demanding the inclusion of this in agreements with Ukraine.

The specific scale of the EU's military aid to Ukraine is expected to be discussed at an emergency summit next week. WP cited some officials saying the amount could exceed $20 billion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.