European Defense Ministers Show Unified Position in Support of Ukraine
Defense ministers from Europe's five largest military powers - France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Poland - met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss a new security framework for Ukraine.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu hailed the diplomatic progress Washington and Kiev made in Saudi Arabia, declaring that “the ball is in Russia’s court.” A proposed thirty-day ceasefire agreement now sits on Vladimir Putin’s desk.
The meeting took place a day after a rare gathering of 34 military chiefs from NATO countries, as well as Japan and Australia, was held in Paris without the presence of US officials.
Trump threatens Putin: "If you don't accept ceasefire, you will be sanctioned"
President Donald Trump has threatened 'devastating' consequences for Russia if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine.
Trump made the statement while discussing his team's efforts to end the conflict, which he said could lead to World War III.
When asked what the US could do to pressure Russia for peace, he said: “There are things that would not be nice financially. I could do things financially that would be very negative for Russia. I don’t want to do that because I want to have peace.”
EUFOR peacekeepers arrive in Bosnia amid rising tensions
Reserve peacekeepers arrived in Bosnia on Wednesday amid rising tensions in the country, a day after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed support for the country's territorial integrity and peace.
Italian and Czech military personnel landed at Sarajevo airport and were welcomed by the EU force in Bosnia, known as EUFOR. Romanian troops, helicopters and military supplies will arrive in the coming days.
Rutte has pledged NATO's "unwavering" support for Bosnia's territorial integrity, after a series of Serbian moves raised tensions nearly 30 years after the end of a bloody war.
European Parliament approves rearmament plan
The European Parliament in Strasbourg approved by 419 votes in favour, 204 against and 46 abstentions a resolution on the future of European defence. This plan calls for the EU to act urgently to guarantee its security, demanding that responses to external threats be "similar to those in wartime" and welcomes the 800 billion euro Rearmament of Europe plan proposed by Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen.
European Commission President Von der Leyen is expected to officially present the plan for rearmament of Europe on March 20 and 21 at Commission meetings.
