EU in Early Discussions to Deploy Up to 100,000 Peacekeeping Troops to Ukraine, Reuters Reports

European countries are discussing the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, following an initiative proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to Reuters, European officials emphasize that their main focus remains on increasing military and economic assistance to Ukraine. However, they see no signs of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s willingness to engage in negotiations. Despite this, some European officials are exploring the potential for sending peacekeepers to Ukraine.

The newly elected US President, Donald Trump, has ruled out the involvement of American troops in any peacekeeping mission, stressing that European nations should take on this role. This indicates that the mission could proceed without the need for security guarantees for Ukraine through NATO membership or bilateral assurances.

Large European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom, are seen as the potential core contributors to such a mission, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The peacekeeping force could be a coalition of five to eight countries. Estimates for the number of troops involved vary, with some suggesting approximately 40,000 personnel, while others predict that up to 100,000 troops may be required, depending on the mission’s scope.

Reuters also reports that the mission’s framework is under discussion. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has indicated that such a mission should operate under the auspices of the United Nations. However, some officials have raised concerns about this approach, given Russia’s position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which could grant it significant influence over peacekeeping operations.

The European Union is also likely to seek to involve the United States, potentially in a supporting role, through intelligence sharing and other operational assistance. Discussions on the deployment of peacekeepers are set to continue, with further talks on the issue planned between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on December 18.#

Earlier on December 9, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would consider the deployment of foreign peacekeepers, including French forces, only after receiving a clear NATO accession timeline. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine needs a definitive understanding of its EU and NATO membership before accepting foreign troops to guarantee its security.