Officials' statements regarding the formation of a Western peacekeeping mission are becoming increasingly skeptical. Plans remain open, preparations are underway, but comments are emerging in which parties are assessing their forces and expressing uncertainty.
UNN reports with reference to Reuters.
Details
European efforts to create security mechanisms for Ukraine are shifting from sending troops to other alternatives.
European forces face political and logistical constraints. European countries are also looking at the prospect of countering Russia and the United States, given the latter's likely plans.
London and Paris have been working for weeks on a plan to send thousands of troops to Ukraine to help secure a future ceasefire.
Reuters refers to its diplomatic sources; in comments to the publication, officials admit that sending military peacekeeping forces is not the most likely outcome.
Diplomats' comments
They are backing away from ground troops and trying to change what they were doing to something that might be more sensible
Another unnamed diplomat told Reuters:
When Ukraine was in a better position, the idea of introducing troops was appealing. But now, given the situation on the ground and the US administration, it's not very sexy.
A senior European defense official said that while the focus of the idea is moving away from "European boots on the ground," however:
This does not mean that individual countries will not have soldiers deployed in Ukraine for training and other support
US position
President Donald Trump, who sharply changed US policy towards adopting the Russian narrative regarding Russia's war against Ukraine, initially spoke favorably of the peacekeeping proposals of Great Britain and France.
Russia is not ready for an unconditional ceasefire - OP26.03.25, 15:50 • [views_24132]
However, American officials have recently expressed more skepticism. Last week, in an interview with podcaster Tucker Carlson, Trump's ambassador Steve Witkoff ridiculed the European proposals as "posing and posturing."
What is planned for the near future
Officials said discussions at this week's meeting in Paris would focus on a number of issues.
Key among them:
- how to strengthen Ukraine militarily to deter future attacks;
- how to control a limited ceasefire over maritime targets and energy infrastructure.
Security guarantees are a kind of intercontinental breakfast "buffet" where you have 1000 extra dishes
"Ultimately, everything will depend on the degree of sincerity of the ceasefire," he added.
And I'm not optimistic
An official representative of the French president said that during negotiations with the United States, officials expressed interest in a significant European contribution after a permanent ceasefire is established.
Reference
France, which is working closely with the UK on developing options, will host 30 leaders and delegations from about 30 countries around the world on Thursday, who have become part of a "coalition of the willing" to try to implement some ideas.
Recall
Ukraine confirmed its readiness for a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US. The US supported Kyiv's position and expressed readiness to mediate for achieving lasting peace.
With the mediation of the US and Saudi Arabia, a ceasefire agreement was concluded. Russia will benefit significantly more than Ukraine, writes The Times.