Peacekeeping mission in Ukraine: Europeans are not confident in their strength, without US support - WP

There is growing concern in the European and British security community about whether the "willing" countries of the continent will be able to sustain a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine in the long term if US support is not guaranteed.

UNN reports with reference to The Washington Post.

Although Britain supports the introduction of troops into Ukraine, the security community as a whole (including European countries) has doubts about how realistic it will be to support a peacekeeping mission for a long time if there is no support from the United States.

Britain and other countries could probably provide 30,000 troops in Ukraine... but they "will struggle to support them in the long run."

British PM asks US to protect future peacekeepers in Ukraine - FT27.02.25, 10:19 • 27148 views

Reference

Officials discussed a force of 10,000 to 30,000 troops. Following a meeting of the heads of military units of Ukraine's allies near London on Thursday, Starmer also mentioned potential air and sea support.

What is the level of involvement of British society in strengthening the army?

The British Army, like many others around the world, faces serious recruitment and retention problems. In 2010, it had more than 100,000 full-time employees; by 2024, it had fallen to 72,000.

Generation Z is not joining the armed forces the way my generation did

What sociology says

Recent surveys show that young Britons are indeed less willing to serve.

Only 11 percent of those aged 18 to 27 say they would fight for Britain if called upon. That's half as much as in the same survey 20 years ago.

37% said they would only fight if they agreed with the cause,

41% - not under any circumstances.

In a cafe near a recruitment center, two men were asked if they would feel obligated to serve if British troops were stationed in Ukraine. They argued.

"I'd probably sign up," said Dan Clarkson, 25, a skilled worker eating chicken and potatoes during his lunch break. But he would like to believe in "the cause behind it."

Difficulties in increasing defense spending

It's terribly difficult. One of the problems that no one likes to discuss when we talk about increasing defense spending is that you can buy a lot of military equipment if you put money into it, but you can't staff it overnight. It takes time

However, he noted that actions often generate increased interest.

If the deployment in Ukraine is not too dangerous, it could improve the situation or give a brief boost

Jonathan Eyal acknowledged that there is "great caution about how the forces will act, what the mandate will be," and whether they will be able to use American cover or not.

That is, in the case of "either" - they can become "easy prey" for Putin.

Let us remind you

The British Prime Minister announced the readiness of some countries to join the plan to ensure peace in Ukraine.

Great Britain and France have developed a plan for the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine after a ceasefire.

China denies negotiations on peacemaking role in Ukraine24.03.25, 11:14 • 53518 views