August 31, 2025, 8:21 PM

Von der Leyen:"The EU has a clear plan for deploying troops."

Europe has "a pretty clear plan" for sending troops to Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in an interview with the Financial Times, emphasizing that security guarantees for Ukraine are of primary importance for Europe, which, she assured, will be supported by the United States. There is a"clear roadmap" for possible deployments, the European Commission president stated."Security guarantees are fundamental and absolutely crucial," von der Leyen added."We have a clear roadmap and an agreement at the White House; this work is progressing very well," she emphasized. Von der Leyen then stated that European capitals are working on plans for"a multinational troop deployment and American support." "President Trump has reassured us that there will be an American presence as part of the backstop," she said."This has been very clear and repeatedly reiterated," she added.

Europe has"a pretty clear plan" for sending troops to Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview with the Financial Times, emphasizing that security guarantees for Ukraine are of primary importance for Europe, which, she assured, will be supported by the United States. There is a"clear roadmap" for possible deployments, the European Commission president stated."Security guarantees are fundamental and absolutely crucial," von der Leyen added."We have a clear roadmap and an agreement in the White House; this work is progressing very well," she emphasized. Von der Leyen then stated that European capitals are working on plans for"a multinational troop deployment and American support." "President Trump has reassured us that there will be an American presence as part of the backstop," she said. “This has been very clear and repeatedly reiterated,” he added.
“My visit to the Polish-Belarusian border was a demonstration of European solidarity. A strong Poland and a strong Europe, safeguarding our borders and protecting all Europeans. Our message is clear. And it is a message that Belarus and other actors in the region are receiving.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote this on X, attaching a photo of the Belarusian soldier behind the metal barrier visible from where she and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held their press briefing. The same photo was previously posted by Tusk himself.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Mark Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Paris on Thursday.
Ukraine's capitulation is not an option. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this in a summer interview with German broadcaster ZDF."I am mentally preparing myself for the fact that this war could last a long time," he said, among other things, emphasizing that he has no illusions about how wars end:"Either with the military defeat of one of the two sides—but at the moment I don't see this possibility for either Russia or Ukraine—or with economic and/or military exhaustion. But at the moment I don't see this situation for either side either." He explained that efforts are currently being made, through intensive diplomatic initiatives, to end the war as quickly as possible,"but certainly not at the cost of Ukraine's capitulation." If Ukraine capitulated and lost its independence, Russia would target the next country in line."And then the day after tomorrow it will be our turn. This is not an option," he concluded. Around 40,000 NATO soldiers will conduct training operations in the Baltic states and Poland in conjunction with the 'Zapad' military exercise involving troops from the Russian Federation and Belarus, scheduled for September 12-16. This was announced by the Chief of Staff of the Lithuanian Army, Raimundas Vaiksnoras. According to intelligence data, approximately 30,000 Russian and Belarusian forces will be involved in the exercise, 8,000 of them in Belarus alone. "As soon as hatred toward Russia begins, expect problems. Enforced Russophobia brings costs and problems to Italy itself," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with RT, reported by the Russian news agency Tass. Zakharova stated that hatred of all things Russian is imposed on Italy from outside, adding that Italians need access to reliable information on the situation in Ukraine to draw their own conclusions about unfolding events, but that"this information is blocked." The interview—according to an RT post on Telegram reposted by Zakharova herself—will be included in a new film about what is being called the Italian resistance, by author Ekaterina Yakovleva and director Oleg Nekishev. “The film is about Italians who are not afraid to speak the truth, despite threats from local authorities and compatriots. They defend freedom of speech under strict censorship,” the post reads.
“We are grateful to His Holiness the Pope for his constant prayers and words of support for Ukraine. In today's address after the Angelus prayer, the Pope once again reminded the world of the suffering of the Ukrainian people, the dead and wounded due to Russian attacks. His words of mercy, the call not to remain indifferent and to help with concrete actions: this is a voice raised against war and indifference.” This is what the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, wrote on ‘X’."Particularly important is the Holy Father's appeal for an immediate ceasefire and the pursuit of a just peace with the participation of the international community. This is a clear signal that the world must put pressure on Moscow, which started this war and still refuses to end it. Russia must stop the terror, take concrete measures to stop the killings, and begin negotiations. We thank His Holiness for this spiritual support, which strengthens our resilience and helps us continue the fight for freedom and justice," he added in his lengthy post. In Europe,"no one is currently considering sending ground troops to Ukraine." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated this during an interview with ZDF broadcaster, which will be broadcast in full at 7:10 PM. When questioned about the possible deployment of French and British troops to Ukraine, Merz responded that"I am present at all these negotiations and I know what we are talking about." According to Merz, the main topic of discussion right now is security guarantees for Kiev"in the event of a ceasefire." This is "an absolute priority," Merz emphasized, adding that"many things can only be done once a ceasefire is established." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he "has not lost hope of achieving" a ceasefire in Ukraine next year,"but I'm not under any illusions either." In excerpts from an interview with German broadcaster ZDF, which will be broadcast this evening at 7:10 PM, Merz stated that"we are trying to end the war as quickly as possible," "but certainly not at the price of Ukraine's surrender." Because "the war could end tomorrow if Ukraine capitulated, surrendered, and the country lost its independence." Except that "the day after tomorrow, it will be the next country's turn. And then, the day after that, it will be our turn. That's not an option," he said, referring to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's expansionist threats and the risk they pose to Europe.