'You need peace' to send EU troops to Ukraine: Belgian FM Quintin

Talking Europe

Preparing to support Ukraine 'in all scenarios' – that’s how the head of the EU Council summarized the key takeaway from the final European summit of the year, ahead of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. We delve into the EU’s preparedness with Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin, who addresses the complex issue of possible European troop deployments in Ukraine, a topic discussed at the summit. Quintin also shares his hopes for a more democratic Syria after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster and outlines how the EU should support the country’s transition.

Quintin appears to downplay concerns that incoming US President Donald Trump might do a deal over the heads of Ukrainians and EU leaders.

"The place of Europe is very strong. We have been supporting Ukraine since day one, and we will continue to do so," Quintin says. "We have the experience of the first Trump administration. We will hear what the US president has to say. It's really important that we now work, with determination, on our open strategic autonomy."

Asked about the possibility of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine – an issue that was raised at the December EU summit – Quintin says: "In order to send peacekeeping troops, you need peace. That's the first step that should be reached. It's important to have the idea on the table, but the first thing is to support Ukraine in its fight, to make sure that the day Ukraine enters negotiations – if it wants to do that – it is in a strong negotiating position."

Turning to Syria, we ask if the EU should impose actual pre-conditions on the new authorities in Damascus for full normalisation. "There is a new hope for the Syrian population and we have to support that," Quintin answers. He says he would not call the EU's demands – protection of human rights and minorities, for example – preconditions, but rather "the right framework for working with the new authorities, for working towards a peaceful solution and the reconstruction of Syria". Quintin continues: "What we hear from the new authorities is quite good, if I may say, but we have to see what they do. Words are important, but deeds are even more important."

Belgium has recently suspended the examination of new files made by Syrian asylum seekers, because "the situation on the ground has changed dramatically", Quintin asserts. But he assures Talking Europe that his country would only return Syrians to Syria in full compliance with international norms: "Returns have to be voluntary. They have to be safe. And they have to be done with dignity. We will see how the situation evolves. But Belgium is one of the biggest supporters of international humanitarian law and of all the Conventions. So we will definitely respect not only the spirit but also the letter of the treaties."

Asked about the devastating cyclone in the French overseas department of Mayotte, Quintin says: "We express our deep sympathies to the French people and the people who are suffering in Mayotte. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM) is an effective system and we, in Belgium, are totally ready to support France through the Mechanism. We have material that could be sent to Mayotte to help people there. So yes, European solidarity is working. It is not only a word. It is also deeds."

Programme prepared by Luke Brown, Agnès Le Cossec, Perrine Desplats and Oihana Almandoz