Germany Ukraine and USA plan new meeting - Scholz at EU summit
Immediately before an EU crisis meeting on Ukraine in Brussels, the USA and the country invaded by Russia are moving closer together. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video message: "Today our teams - those of Ukraine and the USA - have begun to prepare a meeting." Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is examining whether allies could come under the umbrella of his country's nuclear weapons. He is also planning an international meeting next week on the possible deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine.
06.03.2025, 05:14
SDA
At a summit in Brussels today, EU heads of state and government want to discuss their response to the unprecedented rift between US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyi on Friday. The meeting in the White House was broken off prematurely, a planned raw materials agreement did not materialize and the US suspended its arms aid. The EU special summit is to focus on increasing defense spending in order to further support Ukraine and significantly improve European defense capacity.
Confidence-building measures for the Russian side
Selenskyj said that his chancellery chief Andrij Jermak had spoken to US security advisor Michael Waltz on the phone in preparation for a meeting with the USA. "We see a new dynamic." The first results could possibly come as early as next week. It remained unclear who would take part in a possible meeting.
Waltz told Fox News: "I think we're moving in a positive direction.". Talks are currently underway with the Ukrainians about "a place, a date, a negotiating team". "Confidence-building measures" should also be a topic at the meeting. These should ultimately be presented to the Russian side "to test" how they react to them. "Yesterday and today were a positive step forward to say: we will conduct these peace negotiations".
According to Jermak, steps towards "a just and lasting peace" were discussed. There was also an exchange of views on security issues and the harmonization of bilateral relations. A meeting in the near future has been agreed.
Macron takes the initiative
Meanwhile, Macron is considering placing allied countries under the protection of French nuclear weapons. In a televised speech this evening, Macron said that France's nuclear deterrent had always explicitly played a role in maintaining peace and security in Europe since 1964.
"But in response to the historic call of the future German Chancellor, I have decided to open the strategic debate on the protection of our allies on the European continent through our deterrent." However, the decision-making sovereignty over French nuclear weapons remains in the hands of France.
During the election campaign, the likely future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had suggested talks with the European nuclear powers on Germany's nuclear sharing. In addition to France, this would be Great Britain. Macron's push to include partner countries in France's nuclear deterrent is not new. Macron first suggested extending France's nuclear umbrella to European partner countries in a much-noticed keynote speech in 2020. In view of the U-turn in US defense policy, the idea is gaining new relevance.
Macron is also planning an international meeting next week on the possible deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. "To ensure that Ukraine is not invaded by Russia again after a peace agreement, we must prepare it for this," he said. "Next week, we will gather in Paris the chiefs of staff of the countries that are assuming their responsibilities in this regard."
Macron called for long-term support for the Ukrainian army. Perhaps European forces would also be deployed for this, he said. "They would not be fighting today, they would not be fighting on the front line, but they would be there after the signing of the peace agreement to ensure that it is respected," Macron continued.
Selensky thanked Macron on Platform X: "Peace must be real, not just a word - it must not mean the capitulation or collapse of Ukraine. It must be just, reliable and lasting, and this can only be achieved through strong and long-term security guarantees - for Ukraine, Europe and the whole world."
Coordination between Merz and Scholz
Selenskyj is also attending the EU summit in Brussels today. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is traveling to Belgium to represent Germany. The likely future Chancellor Merz (CDU) already arrived in Brussels on Wednesday evening and met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. On Thursday, he will take part in a meeting with conservative heads of government - but not in the summit itself.
Merz and Scholz coordinated at a meeting in the Chancellery on Wednesday so that they speak with one voice in Brussels. "We must be able to defend ourselves so that we don't have to defend ourselves," Merz wrote on X after his arrival in Brussels. "Now is the time to make Europe safer and more defensible."
Money sought for armaments
The EU states are largely in agreement that defense spending must be significantly increased. For many governments, however, the question is where the money should come from. The EU Commission's plan to rearm Europe, which is to be financed by EU loans and changes to the European Investment Bank's lending regulations, is being discussed.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico have already signaled their opposition to a joint summit declaration in favour of Ukraine. Both are in favor of Trump's course in the Ukraine conflict and maintain close relations with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine remains in trouble
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to be exposed to Russian strikes. During the night, a Russian missile hit the industrial city of Krywyj Rih. At least two people were killed and seven others injured. More victims were suspected under the rubble of a multi-storey building.
