France proposes establishing weapons stockpiles in Europe for Ukraine's defense

Speaking on Franceinfo on Thursday, February 27, Lecornu proposed that European nations, potentially including funding from Europe itself, should build up stockpiles of arms to support Ukraine. He views this as a crucial "security guarantee" and a means to deter Russia.

"If the war were to escalate again between Russia and Ukraine, we would have X months' worth of ammunition on hand that could be immediately allocated to Ukraine," Lecornu stated. He emphasized that France intends to "bring this idea to the table" to encourage European countries to adopt it.

Lecornu noted that "security guarantees" should consist of various components. While he acknowledged that placing forces in Poland or on Ukrainian soil is not currently on the agenda, he emphasized that the priority is ensuring the Ukrainian military’s ability to defend itself, not just in the present but even after the conflict subsides.

He also highlighted that "when Russian forces cease their attacks, their stockpiles will continue to grow significantly." Lecornu pointed out that Russia allocates 10% of its GDP to defense, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by Moscow. He also mentioned the "concerning axis" between Pyongyang and Tehran as part of broader security concerns.