NATO chief: European countries ready to deploy troops to Ukraine

European countries are prepared to deploy military contingents to Ukraine if Russia violates a possible future peace agreement, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced.

In an interview with Bild, Rutte stressed that the precise terms of the deployment are still under discussion, Caliber.Az reports.

According to Rutte, several European states have signalled willingness to provide troops if required, while the precise framework of a so-called “coalition of the willing” is still being developed.

Rutte also commented on speculation about a possible withdrawal of US troops from Europe, saying European allies have demonstrated their determination to act, while Washington has reaffirmed its commitment to obligations toward Europe, including nuclear guarantees. “A withdrawal from Europe is not under consideration,” he emphasised.

On December 16, leaders of countries involved in the Coalition of the Willing formally signalled their readiness to deploy support forces to Ukraine as part of post-war security guarantees. 

A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom has reaffirmed its willingness to send troops once hostilities end, adding that a post-war peacekeeping deployment plan for Ukraine has already been prepared. 

On December 20, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also noted that Portugal does not exclude contributing troops to a peacekeeping contingent, stressing that any deployment would only be possible after the war concludes.

By Jeyhun Aghazada