Recent Developments in European Union Policy
The possibility of sending international peacekeepers to Ukraine is being considered by European Union members, with France taking the lead. Although there is no consensus among member states, the discussion is expected to gain momentum after the inauguration of Donald Trump. Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, who initially ruled out this option, has begun to modify his stance, stating that Spain is committed to its allies.
France’s Initiative and Potential Partners
France has been preparing the groundwork for this initiative for months and may find a strong partner in the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Keir Stamer has expressed support for ensuring Ukraine’s security after the war. According to the Polish newspaper "Rzeczpospolita," France is considering deploying five brigades, totaling 40,000 soldiers, between Ukraine and Russia. Poland, although not welcoming this initiative, may lead a contingent.
Germany’s Crucial Role and Ukraine’s Reluctance
Germany’s position, with legislative elections approaching, may tip the balance in favor of or against this initiative. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is hesitant about European peacekeepers, believing that without US participation, they cannot fulfill their promise. Zelensky estimates that at least 200,000 blue helmets would be necessary to prevent another attack by Vladimir Putin’s forces, a figure considered impossible to achieve by analysts.
The Importance of US Involvement and EU Defense
In an interview with Bloomberg, Zelensky emphasized that any initiative to ensure Ukraine’s security cannot be carried out without the United States. The debate over Ukraine’s future is part of a broader discussion about the EU’s ability to defend itself and reduce its reliance on the US. The new US president has officially requested that allies allocate 5% of their GDP to defense, a goal that seems almost impossible to reach. However, some European leaders, such as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, support increasing defense spending, with Poland expected to allocate 4.7% of its GDP to security this year.