Belgium pledges continued aid to Ukraine without sending troops, MoD's head says
Minister of Defense of Belgium Ludivine Dedonder (Photo: Getty Images)
Belgium will continue to provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine, but will not send its troops to the front lines, according to the Minister of Defense of Belgium, Ludivine Dedonder.
The Minister of Defense of Belgium emphasized that Belgium will continue to assist Ukraine and noted that providing "all necessary material aid" remains a "priority."
According to her, Belgium prefers to provide material assistance to Ukraine rather than sending troops.
In 2024, Belgium intends to provide military assistance to Ukraine amounting to 611 million euros and will also participate in six coalitions to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and train Ukrainian military personnel.
Background
Previously, on February 26, a working meeting of about 20 European leaders took place at the Elysée Palace in Paris. Conference participants discussed ways to counter Russia and possible ways to assist Ukraine in confronting the aggressor in the context of the escalating situation on the front lines.
In particular, during the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out NATO deploying troops to assist Ukraine. The main problem, according to him, is the current lack of consensus on this issue.
However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed sending NATO or EU troops to Ukraine, and Czechia and Poland also did not consider such an option.
Similar statements were made in the United States as well.
Spain and Italy also disagreed with France's proposal to send ground troops to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was categorical, stating that "there are no plans for NATO combat troops on the ground in Ukraine."
For more details on this, reactions from other leaders, and whether partners are indeed preparing to engage their armies, read RBC-Ukraine's material.
