The UK and France are reportedly preparing to send up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” to Ukraine, a plan contingent on Moscow and Kyiv reaching a ceasefire agreement, according to The Wall Street Journal. This ambitious proposal, which could see European troops deployed in Ukraine, hinges on gaining US support, particularly for providing logistical and intelligence assistance, as well as air defense capabilities.
While Washington has ruled out sending American troops to Ukraine, UK and French officials are hoping that President Donald Trump will approve limited US involvement in the mission. Without US backing, the European-led plan faces significant hurdles, the report suggests. The peacekeeping force would be led by British and French troops, tasked primarily with protecting vital infrastructure, cities, and ports, rather than engaging directly with Russian forces along the frontlines. The force would also utilize drones and satellites to monitor Russia’s compliance with a potential ceasefire.
Despite the ongoing discussions, there is skepticism surrounding the idea. Ukrainian officials, including Mikhail Podoliak, an advisor to President Zelensky, have voiced doubts about the feasibility of foreign peacekeepers in the country, calling the plan “not very realistic.” Podoliak has suggested that Western nations should focus on increasing Ukraine’s defense spending instead.
Additionally, the deployment of foreign peacekeepers has faced stiff opposition from Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov strongly rejected the idea of NATO troops in Ukraine, warning that any foreign military presence would be treated as a legitimate target. Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has gone further, accusing the West of using the peacekeeping mission as a cover for an occupation of Ukraine, suggesting that such a deployment could involve up to 100,000 troops and the partitioning of the country into occupation zones.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the prospect of foreign peacekeeping forces remains a highly contentious issue, with significant geopolitical and logistical challenges on both sides. The UK’s and France’s peacekeeping proposal, while potentially offering a solution to secure a ceasefire, faces significant political and military obstacles before it can be realized.
