NATO has not discussed the issue of deploying a military contingent in Ukraine. This was stated by the head of the NATO Military Committee, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, UNN reports.
Details
Cavo Dragone commented on the possibility that security guarantees should include the presence of contingents of allied countries on the territory of Ukraine.
These issues are part of international politics and negotiations with Moscow. But we have not discussed them at all in NATO, not even hinted at them.
When asked whether the issue of ground troops, which countries would be involved, and where, under what rules of engagement, had ever been considered, Cavo Dragone replied: "Not at all, this is, to put it mildly, premature. We know that the issue of contingents has been raised by individual countries, perhaps on a bilateral basis. But, I repeat, this issue is still in its infancy."
The head of the NATO Military Committee noted that security guarantees, defined by politicians, should define the context.
"For example: who on the ground decides whether the Russians or the Ukrainians have violated the agreements? Who develops the rules of engagement? What territory needs to be protected? Should soldiers only observe, or also protect, and if so, with what weapons? Nothing has been definitively decided. In my area, I don't even know if troops are available, and perhaps someone will consider involving soldiers from non-NATO countries. Everything is open. One thing stands firm: NATO remains committed primarily to protecting the citizens of its member states," Dragone explained.
Cavo Dragone also spoke about the "coalition of the willing".
"This is a coalition of forces, led by London and Paris, which, for the sake of the peace process, wants to support the normalization of the situation in Ukraine. They focus on the economy, territorial and air security, and much more. Their tasks also include organizing a system to deter Russia from re-attacking," said Cavo Dragone.
Addition
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the future security architecture for Ukraine should include effective guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, systemic army financing, and support for defense programs. He also emphasized the importance of partners' investments in the production of Ukrainian drones.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that US President Donald Trump has made it a priority not only to break the deadlock in relations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, but also to make him understand that the US will participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine, which will consist of two levels.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak stated that a number of countries are ready to send their troops to Ukraine, but this requires coordination with the United States.