The US proposal to send European troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine raises concerns about escalating tensions between Russia and the West. Instead, the global south should take the lead in providing a neutral force to keep the peace. Neutral countries like Indonesia, Mexico, and African nations have shown willingness to play a significant role in conflict resolution.
A multinational approach involving countries from BRICS+ and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations could help define a new era of international security. The African Union has experience conducting its own peacekeeping missions, while Persian Gulf countries have cultivated trust with both Russia and Ukraine through prisoner exchanges.
Key to an effective force is not size but rather keeping the peace. Clear parameters, such as agreed ceasefires and demarcation of front lines, are essential. Some European countries, like Hungary and Slovakia, may be able to play a role, while the EU can finance a peacekeeping force.
Europe should instead embrace its global south partners as an integral part of solving international security issues in Europe’s backyard. The US has an opportunity to tap into underutilized talent by working-class Americans in tackling dangers at home and abroad.
Source: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/13/the-global-south-not-europe-should-play-peacekeeper-in-ukraine