Greece (Brussels Morning Newspaper) European leaders are actively discussing the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to enforce a potential ceasefire and deter further Russian aggression. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have proposed sending up to 30,000 European troops to secure key infrastructure sites, such as nuclear power plants, within Ukraine. This force would operate with the support of Western air and sea power.
The proposal faces significant challenges, including opposition from Russia. The Kremlin has stated that any plan involving European troops in Ukraine would be unacceptable, viewing it as a threat to Russia’s security.
Europe is striving to establish its role in shaping Ukraine’s future. While disagreements over military commitments remain, there is increasing agreement on strengthening defense spending and ensuring Ukraine has a voice in the discussions. This is not the first time that sending military forces to Ukraine has been discussed, with France and the United Kingdom appearing willing to ensure their political alliance with Kiev.
A United Front
Europe is striving to establish its role in shaping Ukraine’s future. While disagreements over military commitments remain, there is increasing agreement on strengthening defense spending and ensuring Ukraine has a voice in the discussions.
While the UK and France support the deployment, other nations like Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland have expressed reluctance, particularly without U.S. involvement. This division was evident during a recent emergency summit in Paris, where leaders called for increased defense spending but could not reach a consensus on troop deployment.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof emphasized the need for European nations to reach a unified decision on their contributions, stating that doing so would secure them a place in negotiations. He pointed out that merely being present at the table without making meaningful contributions would be ineffective.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged U.S. support while reaffirming his willingness to consider deploying British troops to Ukraine as part of a broader effort, provided a lasting peace agreement is in place. Despite their efforts to strengthen military capabilities following years of U.S. criticism, European countries face challenges in raising defense spending beyond the current 2% of GDP, and the pathway to achieving 3% remains uncertain.
Last week, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cast doubt on both Europe’s security commitments and its core democratic values. French President Emmanuel Macron, a long-time advocate for a more autonomous European defense, described their harsh criticism and threats of non-cooperation in times of military crisis as deeply unsettling.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk underscored the urgent need for Europe to enhance its self-defense capabilities, noting that there was unanimous agreement on the necessity of increasing defense expenditures. Poland, currently allocating more than 4% of its GDP to defense, leads all NATO members in military spending.
In addition to military considerations, there are concerns about the long-term commitment required for such a mission, especially given Europe’s current defense capabilities and the substantial Russian military presence in Ukraine. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations and discussions among European nations, the United States, and Russia to find a viable path toward peace and stability in the region.
Α “dictated peace”
European leaders are also divided on the issue. U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to broker a peace deal to end the three-year conflict in the coming weeks has unsettled Europe, raising concerns that it could lead to difficult compromises for Kyiv and increase the continent’s vulnerability to Russian expansionism.
In an effort to gauge the stance of its allies, the White House has distributed a questionnaire to European nations, inquiring whether they would be open to deploying peacekeeping forces to the war-affected region. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly criticized the timing of such discussions, calling them “completely premature” and “highly inappropriate” given the ongoing intensity of the war. While Scholz expressed support for potential peace negotiations, he cautioned against any agreement that would impose a settlement on Ukraine against its will. He also underscored the importance of maintaining a unified Western stance against Russia.
The White House’s recent hints that the U.S. could soon start pulling troops out of Europe have further unsettled its allies. Scholz emphasized that security responsibilities must not be divided between Europe and the U.S., reiterating that NATO’s strength lies in collective action and shared risks. He stressed that this fundamental principle must remain intact and not be put into question.
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