Ukraine: The Latest US hails ‘big milestone’ in Paris as Trump envoy promises BlackRock key to ‘future of Ukraine’
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Jan 7, 2026 
In this discussion, Sir Ben Wallace, former British Defence Secretary, shares insights on the Paris Declaration and its implications for European defense. He expresses skepticism about Donald Trump's commitment to U.S. support, emphasizing that Putin understands the dynamics at play. Wallace also explores the role of BlackRock in post-war Ukraine and discusses the broader geopolitical factors at stake, including resource politics and the need for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities.
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Backstop Lacks Operational Clarity
- Key unanswered questions remain about the US ‘backstop’: response time, geographic limits and whether it includes US combat troops.
- Without those details, the backstop’s deterrent value is unclear.
BlackRock Tied Into Reconstruction Plans
- Steve Witkoff named BlackRock as a partner for post-war reconstruction planning.
- That signals early commercialisation and private-investor involvement in Ukraine's economic future.
Prepare Europe To Act Independently
- Do not rely solely on US promises given recent patterns of non-enforcement, according to Ben Wallace.
- Prepare European capabilities and clear rules of engagement to avoid strategic dependence.