EU Leaders Plan Military Presence in Ukraine Post-Peace

Several EU countries are planning for troop presence in Ukraine after a potential peace agreement. President Donald Trump has promised "American presence" as support.

"We are working on quite precise plans," says EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the Financial Times.

On Thursday, European leaders who recently visited Donald Trump at the White House will gather again in Paris, invited by President Emmanuel Macron, according to diplomatic sources for the Financial Times. Discussions will continue on plans to guarantee Ukraine's security after a potential peace.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirms that discussions are ongoing, although she does not detail where and between whom.

"Security guarantees are of utmost importance and absolutely crucial. We have a clear roadmap and reached an agreement at the White House," she says.

According to the Financial Times, it involves tens of thousands of soldiers from EU countries, backed by American coordination systems and intelligence and reconnaissance resources.

"President Trump assured us that there will be an American presence as part of the ultimate security guarantee. He repeated this several times, very clearly," says Ursula von der Leyen.

Turning Putin Around

Last week, defense ministers from the so-called "coalition of the willing"—Ukraine's allies—met and carved out "quite precise plans" for a multinational troop deployment.

"Of course, political decisions are required in each respective country. Sending soldiers is one of the most important independent decisions a country can make. But everyone feels very clearly that it is urgent... it is moving forward and really starting to take shape," says von der Leyen.

She also says she believes Donald Trump is turning Putin around—that he has realized Putin will not change.

"He has had bad experiences with Putin," she says.