SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Alarm: Must "Immediately" Strengthen Europe's Defense

No place at the negotiating table. Hard pressure to gear up. And a new administration in the USA that invites Russia to talks and puts old truths to the test. European leaders gather for a crisis meeting to regain their foothold in the great political storm.

» Published: February 17 2025

The Alarm: Must "Immediately" Strengthen Europe's Defense
Photo: Michel Euler/AP/TT

The traditional Western world leaders are meeting in Paris with short notice, after a week where the USA in many ways pulled the rug from under them with clear stances at the security conference in Munich.

France's President Emmanuel Macron is hosting and receiving leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as the EU and NATO.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk says he will urge the European leaders to "immediately" strengthen Europe's defense and warned that it does not match Russia's.

We will not be able to help Ukraine effectively if we do not immediately take measures regarding our own defense capabilities. If Europe, as it is today, cannot counter Russia's military potential, then we must catch up immediately, says Tusk.

"New determination"

The United Kingdom and Sweden do not rule out sending soldiers to a potential peacekeeping mission in the future. Sweden, however, is not attending the meeting in Paris and is formally represented by Denmark.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen says in a statement that she sees a new European determination and that it is a force that is needed:

"We must increase military support to Ukraine, we must produce more and we must do it faster. And we must remove the restrictions on the Ukrainians' use of weapons so that they can actually defend themselves against the Russians without having an arm twisted behind their back. A ceasefire must not lead to Russian rearmament followed by new Russian attacks."

"Realistic" concessions

In a week, it will be three years since Russia launched a large-scale attack on its neighboring country. USA's President Donald Trump has promised to put an end to the raging war in no time.

Trump has turned directly to the sanctioned Vladimir Putin. Already on Tuesday, American and Russian delegations are said to meet in Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine, the EU, and other allies are looking on. Where the starting point has long been that Russia's war of aggression should not be allowed to tear apart the rule-based world order, the USA is now talking about the need for "realistic" concessions.

Many experts are wondering if it can be a real peace or rather a compromise-filled ceasefire that the USA expects someone else to keep an eye on. Many are also wondering if Russia is willing to compromise.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

Trump to Announce Plan to Dissolve US Education Department

Trump to Announce Plan to Dissolve US Education Department

Zelensky Arrives in Oslo for Talks with Norwegian Leaders

Zelensky Arrives in Oslo for Talks with Norwegian Leaders

EU Seeks Clarity on Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Tensions

EU Seeks Clarity on Ukraine Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Tensions

Protests Surge in Turkey Following Arrest of Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu

Protests Surge in Turkey Following Arrest of Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu

China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Offenses, Canada Condemns

China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Offenses, Canada Condemns

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Israel Blocks Movement Between Southern and Northern Gaza Amid Renewed Attacks

Israel Blocks Movement Between Southern and Northern Gaza Amid Renewed Attacks

13 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attacks by Jihadist Groups

13 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attacks by Jihadist Groups

Russian Drone Attack in Ukraine Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

Russian Drone Attack in Ukraine Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

Unicef Highlights Gaza's Crisis: Children Face Fear and Uncertainty

Unicef Highlights Gaza's Crisis: Children Face Fear and Uncertainty

Russia and Ukraine Swap 372 POWs with UAE Mediation

Russia and Ukraine Swap 372 POWs with UAE Mediation

Trump and Zelensky Agree on Ceasefire to Protect Ukraine's Energy Grid

Trump and Zelensky Agree on Ceasefire to Protect Ukraine's Energy Grid

Protests Erupt in Jerusalem Against Netanyahu's Gaza Decisions

Protests Erupt in Jerusalem Against Netanyahu's Gaza Decisions

North Macedonia Shuts Down Unlicensed Nightclubs After Tragic Fire

North Macedonia Shuts Down Unlicensed Nightclubs After Tragic Fire

EU Unveils Readiness 2030: A New Era for European Defense Strategy

EU Unveils Readiness 2030: A New Era for European Defense Strategy

Air Leaks from the Inflatable: Deadly Migrant Shipwreck

Air Leaks from the Inflatable: Deadly Migrant Shipwreck

Zelensky: Speaking with Trump today

Zelensky: Speaking with Trump today

Greenland: No Foreign Election Interference

Greenland: No Foreign Election Interference

Israel Launches Targeted Ground Operation in Gaza's Netzarim Corridor

Israel Launches Targeted Ground Operation in Gaza's Netzarim Corridor

World War II Pilot Dead: "The End of an Era"

World War II Pilot Dead: "The End of an Era"

Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Sparks Political Tensions Across Europe

Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Sparks Political Tensions Across Europe

New talks about ceasefire on Sunday

New talks about ceasefire on Sunday

Disagreement over Trump and Putin's conversation: "Playing games"

Disagreement over Trump and Putin's conversation: "Playing games"

Secret JFK Documents Released

Secret JFK Documents Released

Ukraine: Russian drone hit hospital

Ukraine: Russian drone hit hospital

Poland and the Baltic States want to leave the landmine agreement

Poland and the Baltic States want to leave the landmine agreement

Stranded astronauts back on Earth

Stranded astronauts back on Earth

USAID Shutdown May Violate the Constitution

USAID Shutdown May Violate the Constitution

Macron and Scholz Support a Ceasefire

Macron and Scholz Support a Ceasefire

Zelensky positive - but wants to talk to Trump

Zelensky positive - but wants to talk to Trump

After Talks with Trump: Putin Wants to Play Hockey

After Talks with Trump: Putin Wants to Play Hockey

Researchers on Antarctica ask for help after threats

Researchers on Antarctica ask for help after threats

Political Scientist: A Failure for Trump

Political Scientist: A Failure for Trump