European countries are quietly planning a military deployment to Ukraine as part of any future peace settlement with Russia, aiming to provide post-war security guarantees.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed the UK’s willingness to support Ukraine’s security needs, hinting at the need for robust protection. The idea has gained traction since French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal, despite concerns over constitutional limits in Italy and ongoing discussions between European allies.
Experts warn that a smaller force would be insufficient to deter Russia, emphasizing the need for airpower, large land forces, drones, counter-drones, and missile defense. Former US Army Europe commander Ben Hodges stated that sending troops without these capabilities could lead to defeat.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted on at least 100,000-150,000 troops for the European contingent. Diplomats have not confirmed this figure, but it is clear that the Europeans face challenges in mobilizing a large-scale force.
The US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the need for “robust international oversight” and an American backstop to provide security guarantees. However, he ruled out deploying US troops directly to Ukraine, suggesting instead a non-NATO mission involving European forces.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/europe-ukraine-force-peacekeepers-nato-us-security-119c302621e58a3e3bcb7841aa1ce161