A collection of European nations, led by the United Kingdom and France, are reportedly developing a strategy to deploy troops to Ukraine. This move aims to strengthen any potential peace agreements with Russia, as per reports from the Associated Press (AP).
These Western allies of Ukraine are discreetly formulating this plan, of which details are yet to be disclosed. The motive behind this secrecy is to avoid giving Russian President Vladimir Putin any advantage in the event of peace negotiations.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautiously acknowledged the need for security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of peace, and affirmed the UK’s role in providing such assurance. European leaders started considering the type of force required about a year ago, with the urgency increasing due to fears that US President Donald Trump might bypass them and Ukraine to secure a deal with Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, emphasized the need for NATO-like security if Ukraine is not admitted into NATO.
The possible European contingent was discussed in a meeting in December, attended by leaders and ministers from several European countries including Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland, as well as top European Union officials.
The concept of this force was initially promoted by French President Emmanuel Macron in early 2024. Despite initial resistance, Macron’s idea has slowly gained acceptance. However, the composition and function of the force will largely depend on the specifics of any peace agreement.
Zelenskyy argued that European nations could greatly benefit from Ukraine’s military experience. He also highlighted the need for adequate weaponry and equipment, suggesting that if Ukraine had sufficient resources, there would be no need for US or European troops.
Zelenskyy also warned that the European Union would not be able to handle a Russian attack on its own, especially if launched from Belarus. He argued for the creation of an “Armed Forces of Europe”, suggesting that the Ukrainian army could play a significant role in such an alliance.
