The United Kingdom and France are considering the creation of a European military force, comprising less than 30,000 soldiers, to ensure the security of Ukraine following a potential peace agreement with Russia. According to British media reports, which cite Western officials, this force would focus on reinforcing Ukraine’s air and sea security, with a minimal presence on the ground, far from the front lines in eastern Ukraine. The primary goal of this contingent would be to prevent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, ports, and infrastructure in the event of a negotiated ceasefire brokered by the United States.
European Fears and Concerns
European leaders are concerned that US President Donald Trump may end the war, which was initiated by Russia three years ago, on terms that favor the Vladimir Putin government without providing adequate security guarantees to Ukraine. This concern has been exacerbated by recent personal attacks exchanged between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump, with the latter referring to Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections.”
Diplomatic Efforts
In an effort to address these concerns, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to meet with President Trump in Washington next week. Starmer has expressed his willingness to send troops to Ukraine if necessary and has urged the United States to provide a security guarantee for the country. According to Starmer, such a guarantee would be the only way to deter Russia from launching another attack on Ukraine.
Proposed Military Force
While President Zelenskyy has requested the creation of a deterrence force consisting of over 100,000 soldiers, the proposed European military force is expected to be significantly smaller, with less than 30,000 soldiers. The new US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegesh, has stated that US troops will not be deployed in Ukraine. However, President Trump has expressed support for the presence of European peace troops in Ukraine, despite Russia’s strong opposition to such a move.
Russia’s Stance
Russia has informed the United States that it opposes any NATO member sending troops to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized this point on Tuesday. One of the primary objectives of the proposed European force would be to guarantee the reopening of Ukrainian airspace to commercial flights and maintain the safety of maritime trade in the Black Sea, a vital route for Ukrainian food and cereal exports.
