Die Welt: “Coalition of the Willing” could deploy 10–15,000 troops to Ukraine

Several European countries have drawn up plans to send their troops to Ukraine as part of a so-called “coalition of the willing” to oversee a potential ceasefire, the German newspaper Die Welt reports, citing diplomatic sources in the EU.

“The plans for what security guarantees for Ukraine could look like have already been finalised,” a source told the newspaper.

According to the source, the plans were mainly prepared by military experts from the British and French armed forces. The planning, the source said, was carried out in cooperation with Brussels. European countries could reportedly deploy between 10,000 and 15,000 troops within the first six months after a ceasefire agreement is reached.

The source added that France and the United Kingdom have expressed willingness to participate “in monitoring the ceasefire without a UN or EU mandate.” Allegedly, it would be enough for them to receive an “invitation” from Kyiv.

Die Welt also reports that, according to the plans, countries bordering Ukraine would monitor the ceasefire by air and at sea, with Turkey playing a significant role.

By Vugar Khalilov