NATO member states at impasse over military presence, mandate in Ukraine - source

NATO member countries remain deeply divided over the scope and operational mandate of the proposed "deterrence forces" intended for deployment in Ukraine, should a ceasefire be reached as part of potential security guarantees short of full NATO membership.

According to a source familiar with Brussels-based strategic discussions, ongoing negotiations have reached a critical stalemate concerning the parameters governing these forces. Key points of contention include the geographical areas of deployment and the extent of military engagement permitted for the troops once stationed in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“The discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine have hit a significant roadblock regarding the mandate of the deployed forces,” the source explained. “There are sharp disagreements about the limits of their authority and operational rules of engagement. Simply put, questions remain about how these forces should respond if they come under hostile fire — whether they are expected to evacuate immediately or actively engage in combat operations.”

In response to these unresolved issues, NATO’s Military Committee convened an extraordinary videoconference on August 20, bringing together the chiefs of staff from alliance member states to deliberate on the evolving situation in Ukraine. However, no official details about the agenda or outcomes of the meeting have been disclosed by NATO.

By Vafa Guliyeva