France and Britain are pressing ahead with plans to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a broader initiative aimed at securing a future peace agreement with Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed following a high-level summit in Paris.
While the proposal has received backing from some European nations, Macron acknowledged that it does not have universal support. However, he emphasized that unanimous approval is not necessary for the mission to proceed.
The coalition, led by France and the United Kingdom, has been working for weeks on a strategy to send thousands of troops to Ukraine, with the goal of deterring further Russian aggression.
Macron stated that military officials from France, Britain, and Ukraine will coordinate to determine the force size and potential deployment locations, ensuring the mission’s credibility.
The proposed force is expected to be stationed away from front-line combat zones, potentially in key Ukrainian cities or strategic bases. One of the options under discussion is positioning European peacekeeping forces along the Dnipro River in central Ukraine, a suggestion that has been explored by military planners.
Other possibilities include deploying troops in Ukraine’s western regions or even in a neighboring country to provide logistical and intelligence support.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of coordinating the mission with the United States, noting concerns about whether Washington would endorse the initiative.
The U.S. has played a central role in diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine, including negotiating Black Sea shipping security agreements and limiting long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
However, Macron cautioned that European nations must prepare for the possibility that American support may not be forthcoming. The summit in Paris gathered nearly 30 world leaders, including NATO and EU officials, amid escalating violence in Ukraine.
On the same day, Russian drone and artillery attacks wounded dozens of civilians and caused widespread power outages in the southern Kherson region. Ukrainian officials also reported heavy shelling in Zaporizhzhia, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict.
During the meeting, Macron and Starmer criticized Russia’s approach to peace talks, accusing Moscow of using negotiations as a delaying tactic while continuing its military offensive. Starmer asserted that Western nations must prevent Russia from prolonging the war under false pretenses.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated the importance of European self-defense, posting an image of summit participants with the caption: “Europe knows how to defend itself. We must prove it.”
In addition to discussing peacekeeping efforts, Macron announced a new €2 billion ($2.15 billion) defense aid package for Ukraine, which will include tanks, air defense systems, and anti-tank missiles. The aid is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities until a comprehensive peace agreement can be reached.
Russia has strongly opposed the European discussions on troop deployment. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Britain and France of planning a direct military intervention in Ukraine under the guise of a peacekeeping operation.
She warned that such actions could escalate into open confrontation between Russia and NATO. Zakharova also claimed that London was considering disguising its troops to avoid direct identification, though the UK has not publicly responded to this allegation.
As discussions continue, questions remain about the legal framework for monitoring a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Macron stated that within three weeks, foreign ministers from Ukraine’s allied nations would present concrete proposals on monitoring mechanisms, which could include oversight by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a potential United Nations peacekeeping mandate, or an entirely new system designed for the situation.
The proposed deployment aligns with broader European efforts to strengthen military capabilities, particularly in response to calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for NATO allies to increase defense spending and reduce reliance on American forces.
The planned mission is being viewed as a test of Europe’s ability to maintain security and stability on its own continent.
While Macron remains hopeful that the U.S. will eventually support the initiative, he cautioned that European nations must be prepared to act independently if necessary. “You have to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” he stated.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
