UK, France, Germany, Poland may be among countries sending peacekeepers to Ukraine with US logistic support

Later this week, US officials will meet with their European counterparts to discuss potential steps to end the nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine.

However, for any peace talks to result in a lasting resolution, the US and its allies must demonstrate their commitment to enforcing the agreement, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

So far, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown little genuine interest in peace. Russia controls roughly 20 per cent of Ukraine and believes it has the advantage on the battlefield. Putin initially aimed to dominate the entire country, and leaving with control over parts of four devastated regions, while suffering over 600,000 casualties, would not be considered a victory.

He has consistently denied Ukraine’s sovereignty and set conditions for negotiations — including forcing Ukraine to disarm and abandon its NATO aspirations — all aimed at making it easier to resume fighting. The Kremlin is unlikely to engage seriously in negotiations until the cost of war becomes greater than the cost of peace.

Achieving this will likely require increased Western economic and military pressure, along with a firm, long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security. Ukrainian leaders, who are growing more realistic about their chances of reclaiming lost territory through military means, must play their part as well. If President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government wants to prove it deserves continued Western support, it will need to address its troop shortages by expanding recruitment and lowering the draft age from 25. 

Combatting corruption is just as important. While there has been notable progress in recent years, issues with transparency and governance still hinder ally support. Ukraine’s potential EU membership and billions in reconstruction aid will rely on demonstrating accountability. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump must be ready to enforce his threats of imposing "high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions" on Russia if Putin appears to be delaying negotiations. 

The previous administration imposed potentially crippling oil restrictions before leaving office, targeting exports that account for around a third of Russia’s budget. The current administration should ensure these measures are strictly enforced, including by threatening secondary sanctions on Indian and Chinese buyers of Russian oil above the $60 price cap. The greatest challenge will be convincing Putin that the West is committed to upholding any agreement so that he cannot simply rearm and resume his offensive in a few years. As Zelenskyy emphasised at Davos, meaningful talks cannot take place without unbreakable Western security guarantees. 

He also called for US troops to be deployed on the ground. In reality, the responsibility will fall on European peacekeepers, with support from American logistics, along with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. While politically challenging, countries likely to participate — such as the UK, Poland, France, and Germany — must begin solidifying their troop commitments to demonstrate seriousness to Putin.

Gaining NATO approval for Poland’s air defences to intercept Russian missiles heading toward Ukrainian territory would also show a strong commitment. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces still need more and better weapons, with fewer restrictions on their use. 

The EU should express readiness to fast-track Ukraine's membership, which would help strengthen its democracy and attract investment for its reconstruction. Europe must also act quickly to enhance its own defences. A joint funding mechanism will be necessary to support significant increases in military spending. Procurement processes must be streamlined, and Europe’s defence-industrial base should be bolstered. 

Trump may seek a quick win in Ukraine, similar to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire before his inauguration. However, a weak deal that leaves Putin in a position to restart his war could lead to another cycle of conflict, division within the West, and a shift in the geopolitical balance. Even Trump would struggle to spin that as a victory.

By Naila Huseynova