EU experts see deployment of 200,000 European peacekeepers for Ukraine unlikely

Representatives of European countries will not be able to send to Ukraine the 200,000 peacekeepers expected by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Even a more modest number of European soldiers like 40,000 would be a difficult goal for a continent with slow economic growth, troop shortages and the need to increase military spending for its own protection. And it would likely not be enough to provide realistic deterrence against Russia,” a senior European official said, Caliber.Az reports, citing The New York Times.

Lawrence Friedman, an honorary professor of military studies at King's College London, said that a real deterrent force would typically require “well over 100,000 troops assigned to the mission” for regular rotations and emergencies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently indicated that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be necessary to prevent further Russian aggression following a ceasefire. He emphasized the need for substantial security guarantees for Ukraine, suggesting that European allies may need to increase their defence spending.

European nations remain divided over the deployment of peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. Germany has expressed opposition, while the UK and France support the idea of deploying tens of thousands of troops if a ceasefire is agreed upon.

Russia has firmly rejected the idea of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, warning that such an action would lead to "uncontrollable escalation" of the conflict.

By Khagan Isayev