The invitation was extended during a phone call between the leaders on Tuesday, after an initial delay on the Ukrainian side. According to De Wever’s spokesperson, the Belgian Prime Minister has acknowledged the invitation and will accept it at an appropriate time
The fifteen countries involved in the initiative include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom
This advice follows rising concerns about Europe's readiness for conflict, after NATO Chief Mark Rutte urged the continent to adopt "a wartime mindset." He warned that Europe is "not ready" for the challenges anticipated in the next four to five years
Additionally, Russian forces have launched sustained assaults on Kharkiv, opening a new front in the conflict. This tactic is widely seen as an attempt to stretch Ukraine's military resources thin across the 1,200 km front line, further complicating its defensive operations
Van Tigchelt, acknowledged that it was "no secret" that Creyelman, a former member of the Flemish far-right Vlaams Belang party, was believed to be "used by foreign regimes" seeking to influence Belgian politics
