Countries eye military deployment in Ukraine (26 nations considering troop contribution)
The international community is gearing up to send troops to Ukraine in a bid to secure a ceasefire or peace between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, 26 western countries, including France, Britain, and the Netherlands, have pledged to participate in a multinational "stabilization force" in Ukraine by land, sea, or air.
The US special envoy Steve Witkoff attended a recent meeting in Paris, where the deployment was discussed. The deployment, however, is not intended to be a peacekeeping force in the classical sense, but may be a large-scale training mission.
France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that the force will not wage wars against Russia, but secure peace and send a clear strategic signal. Macron also emphasized that the force will not be stationed on the front line, but in specific areas within the framework of a ceasefire.
Sweden has expressed its readiness to secure peace in Ukraine through airspace surveillance and from the sea. The Netherlands has stated that it can provide assistance both in the air and on land and at sea. Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania have already given their assurances.
Germany, however, is not yet committing to any participation in the deployment. Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany suggested that financing, arming, and training of Ukrainian forces should be the focus, and strengthening the Ukrainian army after the end of the war is a crucial element of security guarantees for the country.
Russia, on the other hand, categorically rejects any presence of foreign troops in Ukraine and considers them legitimate targets for destruction. Russia is ready to continue the war if no agreement satisfactory to Moscow is reached.
The European Union is preparing to potentially expand its training mission for Ukrainian forces, which might serve as a security guarantee for Ukraine in case of a ceasefire. However, details on troop numbers or types have not been disclosed, and all 27 EU members would need to agree.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg defends ongoing plans for European troops in Ukraine after a possible ceasefire with Russia, stating that it does not matter what Russia thinks about troops in Ukraine as Ukraine is a sovereign country.
The results of a phone call between Macron and Trump indicate that the USA will provide support for the security guarantees for Ukraine in the coming days. Further contacts between Americans and Russians on this matter are planned.
However, concrete promises from Washington regarding deployment are still pending. The main burden of a deployment would be carried by European NATO members. Russia insists that any security guarantees must also address its own concerns and opposes NATO troops on Ukrainian soil.
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