Danny Eberhard

It's a work in progress, Val, very much so at this stage. What we have there today, for example, among the leaders, there were some that back it. So people like Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer of Britain. But there were others who, although they want to show willing in terms of supporting Ukraine, They were not prepared to send troops on the ground in any kind of eventual future ceasefire scenario.

It's a work in progress, Val, very much so at this stage. What we have there today, for example, among the leaders, there were some that back it. So people like Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer of Britain. But there were others who, although they want to show willing in terms of supporting Ukraine, They were not prepared to send troops on the ground in any kind of eventual future ceasefire scenario.

So, for example, Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgio Maloney, or Poland's Prime Minister. Poland is obviously a very strong supporter of Ukraine, but Poland does not want to send troops to Ukraine. So there's a lot of division still, although the broad message is still one of solidarity towards Vladimir Zelensky and Ukraine.

So, for example, Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgio Maloney, or Poland's Prime Minister. Poland is obviously a very strong supporter of Ukraine, but Poland does not want to send troops to Ukraine. So there's a lot of division still, although the broad message is still one of solidarity towards Vladimir Zelensky and Ukraine.

Well, this is one way that Europe can show it is willing to take responsibility for its wider security on the European continent. So from that perspective, I think the U.S. welcomes that sort of initiative. It's by no means clear, though, how much support really in the U.S. there is for this proposal, for example, to send troops to Ukraine on the ground.

Well, this is one way that Europe can show it is willing to take responsibility for its wider security on the European continent. So from that perspective, I think the U.S. welcomes that sort of initiative. It's by no means clear, though, how much support really in the U.S. there is for this proposal, for example, to send troops to Ukraine on the ground.

And the backdrop of all this, of course, is that Russia is deeply opposed to any deployment of European or NATO troops to Ukraine. It says it would see that effectively as an act of war and a direct military intervention. So there are still lots of questions about the force itself and also whether in reality it will ever be deployed.

And the backdrop of all this, of course, is that Russia is deeply opposed to any deployment of European or NATO troops to Ukraine. It says it would see that effectively as an act of war and a direct military intervention. So there are still lots of questions about the force itself and also whether in reality it will ever be deployed.

Well, he was raising some of those questions himself. So he was saying that one clear plan is needed on this initiative. And he talked about questions such as what countries will be involved? What was the size and the structure of the force? How would it respond to any threats from Russia? And when would they deploy? Would they deploy after a ceasefire?

Well, he was raising some of those questions himself. So he was saying that one clear plan is needed on this initiative. And he talked about questions such as what countries will be involved? What was the size and the structure of the force? How would it respond to any threats from Russia? And when would they deploy? Would they deploy after a ceasefire?

Would they deploy when the peace settlement is done up? So he also, of course, consistently stressed the idea that Russia does not want peace, real peace. It's dragging out the war for its own interests. So he is very sceptical, basically, about the whole ceasefire process, although he's taking part in it.

Would they deploy when the peace settlement is done up? So he also, of course, consistently stressed the idea that Russia does not want peace, real peace. It's dragging out the war for its own interests. So he is very sceptical, basically, about the whole ceasefire process, although he's taking part in it.

In terms of military aid, Val, probably not. He did get some commitment, a backing from the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaya Callas, on that request. Therefore, about $5 billion worth of artillery shells. She's proposed an initiative for EU members to get involved in delivering supplies. about two million large caliber artillery shells this year to Ukraine.

In terms of military aid, Val, probably not. He did get some commitment, a backing from the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaya Callas, on that request. Therefore, about $5 billion worth of artillery shells. She's proposed an initiative for EU members to get involved in delivering supplies. about two million large caliber artillery shells this year to Ukraine.

That hasn't actually been endorsed, though, by EU leaders. So for the moment, it's just a proposal. Obviously, Ukraine can't get enough military aid as things stand. We obviously recently had a pause of U.S. military aid that has since restarted. But there are ongoing clashes both on the front line and also strikes, obviously, both

That hasn't actually been endorsed, though, by EU leaders. So for the moment, it's just a proposal. Obviously, Ukraine can't get enough military aid as things stand. We obviously recently had a pause of U.S. military aid that has since restarted. But there are ongoing clashes both on the front line and also strikes, obviously, both

from Russia against Ukraine and also Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian territory as well. So the combat, despite ceasefire talk, is still very much ongoing.

from Russia against Ukraine and also Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian territory as well. So the combat, despite ceasefire talk, is still very much ongoing.

There's very broad support for Ukraine. It's not unanimous. The big naysayer is Hungary. Viktor Orban, he's an ally of President Trump. He very much believes in President Trump's pushed to get some sort of rapprochement with Russia. He believes that the time is to be speaking peace, and he has never backed military aid for Ukraine.

There's very broad support for Ukraine. It's not unanimous. The big naysayer is Hungary. Viktor Orban, he's an ally of President Trump. He very much believes in President Trump's pushed to get some sort of rapprochement with Russia. He believes that the time is to be speaking peace, and he has never backed military aid for Ukraine.