New Ukraine talks highlight divisions between US and Europe

Another week filled with military planning and diplomacy will once again highlight the divisions between the United States and its European allies over Ukraine policy, with two key meetings back-to-back at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The US will be absent from the first meeting and is not expected to have any significant role in the second either, as European countries aim to move forward with their own plans.

The first meeting, on April 10, will bring together Defense Ministers from what is known as the "coalition of countries ready to act," which also includes countries outside Europe such as Canada and Australia.

The 30-nation group was formed in early March after a bitter standoff between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. One of the coalition's main objectives is to form a military force that would be deployed in Ukraine after a ceasefire or peace agreement.

But a major problem with creating this force is the lack of support from the US. Many countries, including Britain, have stated that this would only be possible with a "US guarantee" - meaning air support, logistics and intelligence.

So far, there are no clear signals from the US that it will take on this role.

Former NATO commander in Europe, Philip Breedlove, told Radio Free Europe that he did not believe there was the political will in Washington to do so - but stressed that Europe should move forward with its plans anyway.

"If Mr. Putin sees beyond the fence a large coalition of the willing, including Britain, France and Germany, he will think twice," he said.

It is not yet clear whether Germany will participate in any military presence in Ukraine, as the country is in a period of political transition following February elections and is in the process of forming a new government.

Britain and France are leading the coalition, pledging military support for the mission, and will host the April 10 meeting.

"I think Europe can do this on its own," Breedlove said.

"The Russian army is exhausted. It urgently needs a period of peace to reorganize and re-equip. It would be the greatest gift we could give Russia if we allowed it to rebuild," he added.

His statements align with those of former US Army commander in Europe Ben Hodges, who last month told REL that European forces had "well-equipped men and women" who could handle the task without US involvement.

However, US involvement still remains a key point on the agenda.

"The Europeans need to convince Trump to support this idea," said Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official.

"It is clear that this will be a small force and not on the front lines... But the big question is: will this force ever be deployed if there is no peace and the war continues," he added.

A day after the Coalition of the Willing talks, transatlantic divisions will come to the fore again at the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, created in 2022 by former US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Austin was leading the meetings, which were aimed at coordinating military aid to Ukraine after Russia's full-scale aggression. But his successor, Pete Hegseth, is likely to skip the meeting. A Pentagon statement on April 4 said he would travel to Panama.

"The leaders of our European allies must take primary responsibility for the defense of the continent," Hegseth said in February.

"Values ​​are important. But you can't shoot with values. You can't shoot with flags or strong speeches. There is no substitute for real military power," he added, calling on Europe to increase defense spending.

Hegseth made these comments a day after attending, but not chairing, the last meeting of the Contact Group.

"Hegseth's absence means the US has no new aid package to announce," said former NATO official Shea.

"The US is likely still tying aid to the outcome of the mineral agreement negotiations with Ukraine."

"I consider Secretary Hegseth a friend. But I think it's a big mistake that he's not participating," Breedlove said.

"America must continue to show leadership in Europe," Breedlove added./ REL