Several European nations are reportedly moving away from the idea of deploying ground forces to Ukraine.
France and the UK have reportedly suggested sending naval and air forces to Ukraine amidst ongoing ceasefire negotiations, according to sources cited by the Washington Post on Sunday.
The two nations are supporting a European-led ‘reassurance force’ to protect Ukrainian cities and sites away from the war’s front lines and to offer logistical aid and training to Kiev’s forces.
A joint French-British military team is planning a visit to Ukraine in the coming weeks to assess the required troop numbers and potential deployment locations, the WaPo stated.
According to unnamed diplomats familiar with the situation, concerns about sustaining a large ground troop deployment by the West have led to a shift in European focus towards “air and sea power.” Some NATO members have proposed utilizing their resources to patrol Ukrainian airspace or the Black Sea.
However, a WaPo source indicated that some European officials doubt a ceasefire, which is a prerequisite for troop deployment, will be reached soon. The paper also noted that some diplomats view the discussions about sending the military to Ukraine “as an exercise in preparation and leverage.”
Reportedly, several European nations are reluctant to send troops without a guarantee of US intervention in the event of escalation. European officials are seeking American support in the form of air defense systems, intelligence, and heavy airlift capabilities. However, US President Donald Trump has not provided such assurances, and his team has sent mixed signals regarding whether this option is even being considered.
While Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently called the initiative “simplistic,” a French official with knowledge of the matter told the WaPo that the discussions are proceeding “in perfect harmony with our American partners, who are interested in this approach and have told us it’s a good one.”
Russia has cautioned against any unauthorized deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine, stating that they would be considered legitimate targets. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed Moscow’s opposition to deploying NATO troops to Ukraine, regardless of whether they are “under a foreign flag, under the flag of the European Union or national flags.”
“`