by Xinhua writer Xing Jianqiao

PARIS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine agreed on Tuesday to a U.S. proposal for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire" following talks with a U.S. delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement.

The talks, notably held without European participation, resulted in the statement that Ukraine would receive renewed U.S. security assistance and America got preliminary approval for access to Ukraine's mineral resources.

Despite being left out of negotiations, European leaders welcomed the progress made between the United States and Ukraine while continuing efforts to strengthen the continent's defense capabilities.

"BALL IN RUSSIA'S COURT"

After the joint statement, European leaders showed their support for the proposed ceasefire, looking forward to a hopeful response from Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the meeting as "good and constructive" on the social media platform X. "Now, it is up to the United States to convince Russia to do the same. If Russia agrees, the ceasefire will take effect immediately," he stated.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer both welcomed the ceasefire proposal.

On X, Macron voiced his support for the discussions, stressing that "the ball is now clearly in Russia's court." He reaffirmed France's commitment to a "solid and lasting peace, backed by robust security guarantees for Ukraine."

Similarly, Starmer described Ukraine's acceptance of the ceasefire as a positive step, adding, "As both American and Ukrainian delegations have said, the ball is now in the Russian court."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also praised the U.S.-Ukraine talks as a potential step toward "a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine." She reiterated that the EU was prepared to play an active role in the upcoming peace negotiations.

EUROPE PREPARES LONG-TERM SECURITY GUARANTEES

As diplomatic efforts continue, Europe is also preparing for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

On Tuesday, France hosted a meeting of some 30 military chiefs of its partner nations to draft a plan for credible security guarantees in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.

According to Le Monde, Macron urged military leaders to "move from concept to plan" to ensure stable and lasting peace in Ukraine. The report said participants agreed that security guarantees must align with NATO's capabilities and provide "credible, long-term support for the Ukrainian army." However, the United States, NATO's most powerful member, was absent from the discussions.

Beyond Ukraine's security, Europe is also working to enhance its own defense capabilities amid concerns over the reliability of U.S. support. On Wednesday, defense ministers from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Poland will meet in Paris to discuss European rearmament and military aid for Ukraine.

Last week, European leaders endorsed the ReArm Europe plan, introduced by von der Leyen, marking a major step toward greater EU defense autonomy. The plan includes an 800-billion-euro (873 billion U.S. dollars) initiative to boost military spending across the bloc, with a 150-billion-euro (164 billion U.S. dollars) loan program to help EU nations invest in critical military assets.

DEBATING EUROPE'S DEFENSE FUTURE

As European leaders push for stronger military capabilities, analysts remain divided over the feasibility of these plans.

Croatian geopolitical analyst Vlatko Cvrtila told Bulgarian daily newspaper Dnevnik that while Europe is taking steps toward military independence, major challenges remain.

"Europe has woken up, that is evident, but it is still wandering," he said. "Where will these billions come from? And do we even have a European defense industry capable of meeting our needs?" He warned that fully developing Europe's defense industry could take a decade.

Armand Gosu, a professor at the University of Bucharest, acknowledged the obstacles to rearming Europe in an interview with Romanian news website Contributors.ro.

Recalling NATO's history, he noted that every time the idea of "a European army" - often championed by France and Germany - surfaced, "the Americans have launched deterrence campaigns, manipulating and maneuvering between European countries to bury any project of this type."

However, Gosu stressed that Europe "can and must do something." Rather than forming a European army, he suggested that a core group of European nations - Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland - could develop a more integrated defense framework capable of responding to future threats.

Highlighting the weakening influence of the United States, Gosu argued that the American shield no longer works. "Europe will have to learn to do without America, though it will be difficult." Enditem

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