Ukraine pushes for foreign troops in peacekeeping role as NATO membership remains blocked

Ukraine’s key allies met in Brussels to discuss the details of a potential peacekeeping mission that could be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

The discussions were led by France’s Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu and the UK counterpart, John Healey, along with other defence ministers from a coalition of European countries, Canada, and Australia. The meeting excluded the United States, which has not committed to sending troops to Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the peacekeeping mission, particularly as NATO membership remains blocked. “We discuss foreign troops' presence on land, in the sky and at sea. Air defence, as well as other delicate strategic issues. Our partners understand what Ukraine needs. There are some sensitive geographical points where we would want to have a backup,” Zelenskyy said.

The discussions also centered on the specifics of troop numbers, their mandate, and infrastructure, with Zelenskyy highlighting the importance of clarity in the coming weeks. “Dates, understanding at what point of talks we can actually count on a contingent, are important to me,” he added, expecting clarity within a month.

Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Zelenskyy’s office, stated that about a dozen countries could potentially contribute troops, including Baltic and Nordic nations. “This can be implemented through bilateral agreements with each member country of the coalition,” Palisa said. However, there is reluctance among some countries, including the UK, to deploy troops without US support, particularly air support, logistics, and intelligence.

Russia, however, has stated that any foreign troop deployment without a UN mandate would be unacceptable. The key question among Ukraine’s allies is whether the forces discussed would be sufficient to deter a Russian attack. Palisa expressed confidence in the process, stating, “There is our basic vision, and there is the vision of our partners based on their capabilities.”

Ukraine, with one of the largest and most capable armies in Europe, believes that foreign troops, once deployed, will be accompanied by air defence systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and other protective measures. “This is a complex issue that requires careful planning, taking into account many factors. This is what is currently being worked on,” Palisa said.

By Vafa Guliyeva