France, March 14 -- The defence ministers of Europe's five major powers-France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Italy-convened in Paris and reached broad consensus on the necessity of strengthening Ukraine's long-term security by enhancing its armed forces. Meanwhile, Germany's Chancellor-elect, Friedrich Merz, is in discussions with MPs regarding a significant increase in defence spending.

The five defence ministersacknowledged the challenges posed by the new administration of Donald Trump in the US, while insisting Europe was ready to stand on its own feet.

"There is obviously a very broad consensus emerging... that the first of the security guarantees for Ukraine is obviously the Ukrainian army itself," French defence minist...