If a peacekeeping mission is created in Ukraine after the end of the war, the military contingent of foreign troops will not perform tasks to directly protect the border between Ukraine and Russia, but will be on the second line of defense, which with its presence should deter the Russians from a new possible attack. This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky, reports UNN.
What does Russia want? To conquer as many Ukrainian territories as possible. Ukraine wants to liberate them. Our desire is for a stable, lasting peace. One way or another, there will be a front line and occupied territories. We know this situation. We need a mechanism to guarantee that the ceasefire is not violated. Either it will be an ad hoc mechanism and we will clearly define who is responsible for what within this mechanism. There was an OSCE mechanism since 2014, but the President of Ukraine does not want this. We will discuss this further tomorrow. It can also be peacekeeping operations with a mandate
He noted that Ukraine has the largest army in Europe.
We will work today to strengthen this army, so that the army is a powerful deterrent force for the aggressor. The Armed Forces of Ukraine will be the vanguard of deterrence. We are working to have forces to support security guarantees. What does this mean? A contingent will be stationed in the national bases of Ukraine, and it depends on the countries that will be ready to send such contingents to secure these areas of the second echelon in the peaceful zone. That is, they will not be on the front line or on the first line, but will be forces that will be located on Ukrainian soil, and which will be significant deterrent forces. They will be located in strategic locations, have strategic bases, and this will be a signal that if there is a new attack, not only the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be attacked, but also these forces. When our contingent finds itself in such a situation, it receives instructions from the General Staffs of its country. Then we will act clearly, we will not be on the front now, but we will stand on Ukrainian soil
Recall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said about the need for a foreign contingent to control the situation after the conclusion of a peace agreement with Russia. He stressed the importance of monitoring and joint training.