President Emmanuel Macron has suggested that a “reassurance force” might be deployed to the conflict zone.
France and Britain are reportedly continuing to advocate for the deployment of a military contingent to Ukraine, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. Several EU members have already rejected a plan by Paris and London to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.
Reuters reported a possible shift in Western European thinking, citing sources, while Kiev has been urging the deployment of troops as a security guarantee, including combat forces ready to fight.
Following a summit in Paris on Thursday, Macron announced that the “coalition of the willing” intends to deploy a “reassurance force” to Ukraine after a peace deal with Russia is achieved. Although the French leader acknowledged that the proposal did not receive unanimous support, a French-British delegation will still visit Kiev to discuss the plan.
“It does not have unanimity, but we do not need unanimity to do this,” Macron stated.
The “coalition of the willing,” a term initially used by the US to describe countries supporting the 2003 invasion of Iraq, now includes nations that have pledged ongoing military support to Kiev and have previously discussed sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine.
Establishing such a force would necessitate consensus among EU member states and would require an international mandate, potentially from the UN. The “reassurance force” would involve countries providing direct military assistance to Ukraine.
Italy, Germany, and Hungary have reportedly expressed opposition to the Anglo-French peacekeeping plan, citing concerns about potential escalation and financial implications. Moscow has consistently dismissed the idea of NATO states undertaking peacekeeping roles in Ukraine.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused France and Britain of devising plans for “military intervention in Ukraine,” which could lead to a direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Moscow has also accused France and the UK of deliberately increasing tensions in order to undermine efforts by the US and Russia to resolve the conflict.
The US recently mediated a limited ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, establishing a moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure. Moscow has accused Kiev of repeatedly violating the ceasefire terms and attacking energy-related sites within Russia.
Despite the ongoing peace process, the EU has been promoting a militarization agenda. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently presented an €800 billion plan to increase military spending through loans. However, Southern European states, including Italy and Spain, have reportedly been resisting the proposal due to concerns that it could worsen their already significant debt burdens.