Europe must make clear commitment to become security guarantor for Ukraine - MEP Stakis

RIGA - Europe must make a clear commitment to become a security guarantor for Ukraine, European Parliament member Martins Stakis (Progressives) told LETA, commenting on Wednesday's phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

As reported, the US president on Wednesday said he had a "highly productive" phone call with Putin. Trump also said that he agreed with Putin to "immediately" start negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Also on Wednesday, Trump had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which focused on ways to end the war.

Stakis said that what is happening now is tragic in a way, because European leaders are expressing surprise rather than showing resolve. In his view, it has been made clear that European security is no longer a priority for the US, which raises the question of what else can be expected.

In the Latvian MEP's opinion, the European Union (EU) must earmark billions of euros for defense in its budget and a fast increase in defense spending must follow in all member states of the bloc. Those countries, like Latvia, that are willing to increase their defense budgets, must create platforms for mutual support.

"Europe should realize the seriousness of the situation and agree on joint action. It is being said that Ukraine has been betrayed, but Ukraine will be betrayed not when the US president decides to do so, but if Europe shows its weakness and divisiveness," the MEP said.

He underlined that Europe must not allow dictators to set their own rules. It must show its determination to help Ukraine and to take care of its own defense. European leaders and diplomats must show that talking and solidarity actions are over and that real action will follow, Stakis said.

"Then we will be at this negotiations table and dictate our terms instead if waiting for an invitation. I think that is where Europe should be heading," said the MEP.

In his view, Trump should have informed his European partners of his intentions from the start, then followed up with a call to the Ukrainian president and only then to Putin, but the order in which this actually happened is a bad sign.

In Stakis' words, the big question is what form the security guarantees for Ukraine will take, as the US has pointed to the need for more active EU involvement. The MEP stressed that Europe must give a clear answer on its readiness to become a security guarantor for Ukraine.

"We are reacting to statements at the moment. Instead of trying to find a way to quietly walk out of the room, we need to go to the US administration and ask what its plan is, what it expects and what Europe's conditions are on this issue," the politician said.

Stakis stressed that this is what he expects from European leaders. According to Stakis, it is not acceptable that one world leader effectively dictates the entire peace negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine.

Asked about prospects for European leaders taking a more active role, the MEP explained that there is a new European Commission (EC) and this will be its big test.

Stakis added that time has come for Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defense, to take initiative.

The MEP said that the eyes of the whole world, including various tyrant regimes, are now on Europe. They want to see whether Europe will show its strength, whether it will prove that it is not a global player, but just a spectator of the situation.

Stakis stressed that the EC's position will determine future politics, because if these regimes, for example Iran, China or North Korea, do not see Europe's position of strength, this will serve as an encouragement to "go ahead".