Paris will oppose any demilitarization of Ukraine, and the EC states its distrust of Putin.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, speaking at the Defense and Strategy Forum in Paris, stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine remain the country’s “main security guarantee,” so Paris will oppose “any demilitarization of the Ukrainian army.”

“We are witnessing a restructuring of European security that we haven’t seen since the end of the Cold War. Rearmament of Europe is essential for peace and stability on the continent,” he added.

The minister emphasized: “A strong and lasting peace in Ukraine requires continued military support for Kyiv so that it can negotiate from a position of strength. Guarantees will also be necessary to ensure Russian aggression does not resume. First and foremost, this involves a strong, modernized Ukrainian army that is operationally compatible with our armed forces.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted: “Putin has repeatedly shown that he is a hostile neighbor. He cannot be trusted; he can only be contained.”

Therefore, the EU must now significantly increase defense spending in response to the Russian threat to the security of both Ukraine and Europe.