Macron to discuss peacekeeping mission in Ukraine at EU summit - report

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to discuss the deployment of a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine at the European Union summit on December 18-19 in case of a ceasefire and peace between Ukraine and Russia. This was reported by a European diplomat, who is not authorized to comment to the media, according to Radio Liberty, UNN writes.

Details

Many European officials, including the new EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, have said that it is premature to discuss this issue at this stage. However, according to the source, this discussion is inevitable, given Macron's visit to Poland and recent media discussions about peacekeepers. In addition, the change in the political situation in the United States after the election of Donald Trump may force the EU to prepare to discuss the situation with him regarding the war in Ukraine.

Two more diplomats, as indicated, noted that this topic is being raised precisely to prepare for a conversation with the American president-elect and to ensure the EU's presence in the peace talks. At the same time, they said, the topic of peacekeepers is currently very "raw" and is still just an idea.

France is trying to assemble a coalition of 5-8 European countries "determined to act," Reuters sources report.

In addition, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to organize a separate meeting on the situation in Ukraine with the leaders of the EU (France, Germany, Italy, Poland), the UK, and Ukraine during the December 18 summit in Brussels.

So far, Macron has not made an official proposal to send a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine.

Addendum

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to consider Macron's proposal to deploy foreign troops as a security guarantee before joining NATO. However, experts notethat the implementation of such ideas remains uncertain, and the decision will depend on a number of countries, including Russia.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that Warsaw has no plans to send its troops to Ukraine, despite media speculation about the possible creation of a peacekeeping contingent. Tusk added that the decision on the participation of Polish troops will be made only in Poland.