The “Willing Ones” for War

By Manlio Dinucci (Grandangolo on Byoblu TV, Italy)

The U.S. and Ukraine are proposing a 30-day cease-fire to Russia, but this fails to address the fundamental issues at the root of the war. In Paris, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with over 30 Armed Forces leaders to discuss what Europe and the West can offer in support of Ukraine. 

Immediately afterward, a meeting of the European Group of Five, the so-called "willing ones," was held in Paris: France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Poland. 

In the Joint Declaration published on 12 March 2025 ( the Italian Foreign Ministry did not publish it, but only summarised it in a generic communiqué), the European Group of Five pledged the following:

European Group of Five commits to....

1. Continue to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself today and deter Russian aggression in the future.

2. Accelerate defense industrial cooperation projects with Ukraine.

3. Strengthen the capabilities and modernization of Ukraine's armed forces.

4. Encourage Ukraine to use available funding, particularly G7 loans, prioritising military needs.

5. Promote a continued U.S. role in support of Ukraine,

6. Maintain our commitment to NATO as the cornerstone of Collective Defense and for its continued military adaptation, mainly through increased spending on the development of our capabilities.

European countries are preparing for more colossal allocations to reinforce Ukraine militarily and thus maintain a continued belligerence against Russia. They have already allocated $142 billion to Ukraine since 2022, more than the United States, which has allocated $123 billion. 

This diversion of public funds from social expenditures (health, education, etc.) into war industries is a clear strategy to perpetuate conflict. 

Rheinmetall, a German company that supplies tanks and other armaments to Ukraine, has increased its annual sales by 36 percent. From €7.2 billion in 2023 to €9.8 billion in 2024.  

Italian company Leonardo increased its revenues by 16 percent to 18 billion euros in 2024 and its net profit by 67 percent to 1.16 billion euros in the same period. 

The two companies have entered into a strategic agreement to develop a new generation of tanks and other land armaments.