More than the highly publicised televised clash between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump on 28 February, the US president’s decision on 4 March to freeze all US military aid to Ukraine represents a fundamental change in the situation which, for prime minister Luc Frieden (CSV), brings Europe and Luxembourg face to face with their responsibilities. However, the prime minister refused to condemn either Donald Trump or the United States. “Given our shared history and values, America and Europe cannot remain divided for long.” But while waiting for better days, the prime minister reaffirmed Luxembourg’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine. While Luxembourg will continue to provide Kyiv with money and equipment, the question of deploying troops on the ground is not yet on the agenda. But it has not been ruled out. This will be a decision to be taken at Nato level, and MPs will be kept informed.

Being in a position of strength

Frieden reaffirmed that no negotiations should--or could--take place over Europe without taking into account the overall European security dimension, and that a truce is not a solution. “A possible truce will never lead to peace. Lasting peace means that we, and many of our European partners, must offer Ukraine the credible and lasting security guarantees it needs. A ceasefire without these security guarantees would be an invitation for Russia to continue,” he insisted. And to negotiate this lasting peace, Ukraine and Europe must be in a position of strength.

How can they do this? By working to strengthen European security, both militarily and economically, and by emphasising the industrial and energy dimensions of security. “We must take responsibility for our own destiny in all these areas.” Luxembourg will meet its target of devoting 2% of its gross national income (GNI) to defence. To go further, Frieden says he is considering ways of showing solidarity with countries that are lagging behind and do not have the resources to achieve this objective quickly.

All these issues will be addressed first at the special European Council meeting on Ukraine scheduled for 6 March. At the end of this meeting, the president of the European Council, António Costa, hopes that concrete decisions will be taken quickly to strengthen the potential of European defence. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s rearmament plan will also be discussed and clarified. It’s a plan that Frieden fully supports.

Rebalancing Nato

Frieden also called for strong transatlantic cooperation within Nato, while urging Europe to assume greater responsibility. For the prime minister, “70% of Nato’s military spending being provided by the United States is not a sustainable solution.” The rebalancing of responsibilities within the Atlantic alliance will be the central theme of the next Nato meeting, scheduled to be held in June in the Netherlands.

The prime minister has indicated that he will be holding consultations with Parliament and the various parties over the next two weeks in order to reach a broad consensus on issues relating to security, defence and the future of the continent. This will ensure a “sacred union” should the situation continue to deteriorate and more radical measures need to be considered. “History is being written now, and I want Luxembourg to be on the right side of history in 2025, on the side of freedom, human rights and international law,” he concluded.

This article was originally published in French.