Belgium is ready to participate in an international peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, said Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken, quoted by local media. I do not rule out such a step, the Belgian government plans to continue supporting the Ukrainians, we want peace, he added, BTA reported.
If Ukraine accepts a peace agreement, we will certainly think (about participating in a peacekeeping contingent), the minister said. He announced that he expects to travel to Kiev soon together with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever. The media noted that under the previous government, Belgium promised to deliver F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian side and has already provided two machines for the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots.
Franken added that Belgium has an aspiration to develop its air defense following the example of Israel, together with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. According to him, it is possible that a car factory in Brussels, whose closure seems inevitable, could be converted into an assembly line for the production of ammunition.
When asked if he fears war in Europe, Franken does not rule out such a possibility. According to him, the threat exists, although not immediate. A hybrid war is already being waged, the minister added. He pointed out that by 2029 his country plans to invest an additional four billion euros in defense.