World in 10 What happened to European ‘boots on the ground’ in Ukraine?
Jul 10, 2025
Eliot Wilson, a defense commentator and writer, dives into the faltering military support for Ukraine by the Coalition of the Willing. He unveils the gap between grand political promises and real military capability, prompting a call for governments to reassess their strategies. The conversation also touches on the recent high-level meetings between European leaders, exploring how changing dynamics and U.S. involvement influence their commitments. Wilson advocates for transparency to prepare the public for the complex realities of the ongoing conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sudden Origins of Coalition Idea
- The idea of a "Coalition of the Willing" came suddenly after US reduced its commitment to European security.
- It proposed European troops to keep peace post-ceasefire despite no peace agreement existing.
Unrealistic Troop Commitments
- Initial plans for tens of thousands of European troops were unrealistic given actual military capacity.
- Political eagerness led to grand plans that collided with practical realities.
Coalition Plans Driven by Politics
- Political leaders pushed the coalition idea for relevance despite knowing its impracticality.
- Governments knew it was fantasy but pursued it for geopolitical positioning.