Europe plans post-war peacekeeping force for Ukraine
A group of European countries is working on a strategy to send armed forces to Ukraine after the war with Russia concludes, reports the AP. These efforts aim to ensure security in the post-war period and oversee the implementation of a future peace agreement.
The United Kingdom and France are spearheading the plan to secure post-war Ukraine. The details of the project remain confidential to avoid giving a strategic advantage to Russian President Vladimir Putin in potential peace negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is requesting security guarantees for his country during the stabilization period. Although NATO membership would be the best solution, the United States has currently ruled out this possibility.
European consultations on peacekeeping forces
The issue first gained attention in December 2024 when a meeting of European leaders with President Zelensky took place in Brussels. Representatives from the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland, as well as high-ranking European Union officials, participated in the discussions.
The concept of sending troops to post-war Ukraine was initially proposed by President Emmanuel Macron at the beginning of 2024. Although the idea initially faced criticism, particularly from Germany and Poland, it has gained broader support over time.
The implementation of the plan encounters a number of legal and political obstacles. Italy has constitutional limitations on the use of armed forces, the Netherlands and Germany require parliamentary approval, and Poland exercises caution due to historical precedents.
Operational challenges and the American stance
Experts emphasize that European forces must be sufficiently numerous and well-equipped and cannot be limited to traditional UN "blue helmet" peacekeeping missions. Providing air support, missile defense, and anti-drone systems is necessary.
Zelensky is advocating for a contingent numbering between 100,000 and 150,000 soldiers, while media speculate about force sizes ranging from 30,000 to 40,000. None of these numbers have been officially confirmed by diplomats.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth outlined the conditions for American support for the mission. He stated that the operation cannot be conducted under a NATO flag, and American soldiers will not be directly involved. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that effective security guarantees are not possible without U.S. involvement.
