Zelenskyy and Macron Discussed Practical Steps for Deploying Peacekeeping Troops to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation on the battlefield and the possibility of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, the Presidential press service reported on January 13.

“The French initiative to deploy military contingents in Ukraine was part of our discussion,” Zelenskyy said after the call. “We also considered practical steps for its implementation, possible expansion, and involvement of other countries in this process.”

The concept of deploying a peacekeeping force in Ukraine has been gaining momentum recently, as European nations consider stepping up their role in Kyiv’s defense ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump taking office.

Earlier, Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at Chequers, the 16th-century country residence of British Prime Ministers located 60 kilometers from London, where Ukraine and the peacekeeping mission were the focal points of their discussions.

Additionally, Zelenskyy stated that deploying an international contingent in Ukraine would be one of the most effective tools to pressure Russia into peace.

This report comes amid Zelenskyy’s confirmation that discussions in Brussels included the idea of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, he said that consultations on the proposal are ongoing with support from French President Emmanuel Macron.

“We discussed Emmanuel’s longstanding idea. We support the concept of a peacekeeping mission, which means] strengthening Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said at the time.