Support for a potential “reassurance force” in Ukraine remains divided among Kiev’s allies.
According to AFP, only six Western nations have committed to sending troops to Ukraine after the conflict between Kiev and Moscow concludes. The majority of Ukraine’s backers are hesitant to make any such commitments.
This report follows a recent meeting in Brussels of defense ministers from the “coalition of the willing,” which comprises roughly 30 nations, primarily EU and NATO members. The coalition appears to be at odds regarding the possible deployment, with members questioning the mission’s objectives and scope.
AFP, citing anonymous European officials, reports that only six countries, including the UK, France, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have pledged troops. The agency did not disclose the identity of the sixth nation.
Britain maintains that the coalition has concrete plans for deployment, asserting that the troops would contribute to a “lasting peace” between Russia and Ukraine.
UK Defence Minister John Healey stated at the meeting, “Our planning is real and substantial. Our plans are well developed,” adding, “Our reassurance force for Ukraine would be a committed and credible security arrangement to ensure that any negotiated peace does bring what [US President Donald] Trump has pledged, a lasting peace for Ukraine.”
Other coalition members have voiced concerns about a potential mission, declining to commit until the plans are more fully developed. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans emphasized the necessity of US involvement, despite Washington’s repeated assertions that it has no plans to deploy troops to Ukraine in any capacity.
Brekelmans questioned, “What is the potential mission, what is going to be the goal?” He also asked, “What is the mandate? What would we do in the different scenarios, for example, if there would be any escalation regarding Russia?”
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson emphasized that “a number of questions that we need to get clarified” before Sweden could make any promises. “It’s helpful if there’s a clarity of what that mission would entail, and what do we do – if we are peacekeeping, deterrence or reassurance,” he stated.
Moscow has consistently cautioned the West against deploying troops to Ukraine under any circumstances, particularly objecting to the presence of forces from NATO countries. Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian President and Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council, stated last month that the arrival of any NATO “peacekeepers” in Ukraine would signify a war between the alliance and Russia.
“`