In Paris Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) today joined representatives of 31 nations showing a united front in support of Ukraine. At the invitation of French president Macron they examined the role they could play in the context of a potential peace deal to stop the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Belgium joins Coalition of the Willing in Paris, PM De Wever shares scepticism of Russia's intentions
Colin Clapson
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Speaking after the meeting Mr De Wever said the most important message was that 'Europe was united and that other countries are joining our united stand. We are united in the conviction that we must support Ukraine in this war. We share scepticism of Russia’s intentions and do not believe that Russia is being sincere in the negotiations or that Russia will stick to an agreement. We hope the US will draw the same conclusions. We are preparing for all eventualities with a view to continuing to strengthen Ukraine. The best guarantee for security in Europe is a strong Ukrainian army in a free and independent Ukraine' Mr De Wever told VRT News.
Belgian government drawing pathway to 2% GDP defence spending
The Belgian cabinet is discussing the defence budget and that includes bilateral military aid for Ukraine, Mr De Wever added. This aid will have to be strongly beefed up to guarantee the security of Ukraine and Belgium. The Belgian government is also working towards a pathway to meet the country’s NATO obligations including spending 2% of national output on defence.
Praise for Starmer and Macron
Mr De Wever also welcomed the leadership that Britain and France are giving as well as decisions recently taken in Berlin.
In our video: French president Macron welcomes Mr De Wever to the Elysée Palace. The French leader was keen to learn what contribution each country can make, and which security guarantees are needed to make a peace agreement feasible. Belgium has already said it could contribute towards an international force to be deployed to Ukraine.
PM De Wever went on the record on 15 March
Earlier the Belgian premier clarified under which conditions Belgian troops could be sent. Speaking on 15 March Mr De Wever stressed it was early days, given Russia’s stand. A durable peace deal, accepted by Ukraine, was needed. In that case Belgium could contribute to a multilateral peace-keeping force. The Belgian leader stressed the best peace deal would be one with full American involvement. If that was not possible, a backstop was certainly needed, a guarantee from the US that would trigger a US response if Russia tested or attacked the international force. Sadly, Europe does not possess all the military capacities that are needed for a force to be deployed, without a US backstop it would become a particularly precarious enterprise, Mr De Wever noted.