President-elect Trump is pushing a controversial idea to introduce a large, heavily armed European peacekeeping force into Ukraine as part of a potential peace settlement. The proposal, first discussed by French and British officials in November, has raised concerns among NATO foreign ministers and Ukrainian leaders.
According to the Wall Street Journal and Le Monde, Trump made the suggestion to French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting in Paris on December 7. However, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz have distanced themselves from the idea, citing concerns about its feasibility.
The proposal aims to address Russia’s demand for Ukraine’s permanent exclusion from NATO membership while also providing Western guarantees against future Russian aggression. Additionally, it seeks to create a substantial international force to patrol an armistice line in Ukraine.
However, experts and officials warn that this approach is unlikely to succeed due to the lack of clear guarantees from the US on its commitment to supporting the peacekeeping force. The idea would put Western troops at risk of Russian aggression, as Moscow sees it as an attempt to advance NATO’s presence in the region.
Russian officials have made it clear that they view a Western “peacekeeping force” in Ukraine as unacceptable and equivalent to NATO membership for Ukraine. If implemented, this proposal could lead to failed negotiations with Russia and exacerbate the conflict.
Despite efforts to downplay the idea, there are concerns about Trump’s team receiving inaccurate information from their advisers, which raises questions about their intentions and commitment to a peaceful resolution. The longer the war in Ukraine continues, the worse the country’s position will become, making it essential that this proposal is rejected before it causes further harm.
As European establishments and populations weigh the idea, they are likely to dismiss it due to the significant risks involved for Western troops. This proposal has all the hallmarks of a “trial balloon,” but its poorly thought-out nature makes it alarming nonetheless.
Source: https://responsiblestatecraft.org/ukraine-peacekeepers