In recent weeks, the Western media have raised a number of important geopolitical issues, such as the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, the strategic autonomy of Europe and the role of NATO in the conflict with russia. Another important issue that was frequently discussed was a potential deal to provide military support to Ukraine in exchange for access to mineral resources. Most experts emphasise the need for decisive geopolitical changes and propose options to strengthen Europe's position and stability in the region.
In an article by The Wall Street Journal, the author notes that NATO will not be Ukraine's saviour, but the right deal on Ukraine could be NATO's saviour. The right peace deal would set an example for the Alliance itself. Europe and the United States would commit to bringing the Ukrainian army up to NATO standards, even if it is not a NATO member.
It is clear that putin has realised that his army is no match for a properly equipped NATO force. His gamble with Ukraine is rapidly eroding his ability to compete in the long term. Putin will continue to pretend that his war is not a catastrophic miscalculation for which his country will pay for generations to come.
This week, European leaders held an emergency meeting, in particular to discuss the potential deployment of their troops to Ukraine as part of the ceasefire agreement. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was one of the first to say that he was ready to deploy British troops to Ukraine. Sweden will also consider participating in a post-war peacekeeping force, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said. This was reported in The Washington Post.
Overall, strategic changes that take into account both military and economic interests are needed for the stability of Ukraine and Europe. Given the changing geopolitical situation, Europe needs to become more decisive and ready to take new steps, including military support for Ukraine. The deployment of European troops to Ukraine and other similar initiatives could become an important part of future peace agreements.
But the news is also potentially better than it seems. NATO won’t be Ukraine’s savior but the right kind of Ukraine deal can be NATO’s savior.
The right kind of peace deal would be a quasi-template for the alliance’s own future. It would internalize one big lesson of the war: Russia is a conventional military power that can be thwarted, defeated and deterred by conventional means.
It would internalize a second lesson. Banished would be the convenient nuclear fatalism that Germany especially has relied on over the decades to justify its passivity.
Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. would hit Moscow with sanctions and potentially military action if Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t agree to a peace deal with Ukraine that guarantees Kyiv’s long-term independence.
Vance said the option of sending U.S. troops to Ukraine if Moscow failed to negotiate in good faith remained “on the table,” striking a far tougher tone than did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who on Wednesday suggested the U.S. wouldn’t commit forces.
French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of some of the continent’s top leaders in Paris on Monday to spur planning on European support for Ukraine and to forge a consensus on a potential deployment. Macron held a 20-minute phone call with President Donald Trump ahead of the meeting. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced for the first time Sunday night that he was ready to deploy British boots in Ukraine as part of a deal “if necessary,” which could pressure other European leaders to make similar pledges.
Europe is at a turning point in terms of its relations with the United States which forces Europe more than ever before to defend Ukraine and boost its defence spending, said French government minister Manuel Valls on Monday.
"We are at a turning point," Valls told France Info radio.
"This forces us more than ever before to support our defence for Ukraine, and to increase our defence spending budget and to be on the front foot," added Valls, who is France's overseas territories minister and a former prime minister.
Sweden would consider contributing to post-war peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Monday, adding that negotiations would need to progress before any such decision was taken.
The minister's comments came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was ready to send British troops to Ukraine for peacekeeping duties as he tried to show the U.S. that European nations should have a role in talks on ending the war.
European Union countries on Wednesday, February 19, agreed to a new round of sanctions on Russia, diplomats said, as the bloc looks to keep up pressure in the face of US talks with Russia. The wide-ranging package – which includes a ban on imports of Russian aluminum – will be formally adopted by EU foreign ministers on Monday, the third anniversary of the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.
The EU's 16th round of sanctions on Russia comes as United States President Donald Trump has undercut Kyiv and its European backers by launching efforts with Moscow to end the war.
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