NATO is considering assuming a central role in a prospective international peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, according to multiple officials cited by the Financial Times.
The proposal, spearheaded by France and involving the United Kingdom, seeks to utilize NATO’s well-established command and control structure to deploy a “reassurance force” as part of a broader European push to bolster Ukraine’s security amid growing uncertainty over continued U.S. support.
Though still under discussion, the proposal includes tapping into NATO’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to coordinate a multinational deployment.
Supporters of the initiative argue that involving NATO—albeit indirectly—could ensure U.S. engagement, given Washington’s pivotal role within the alliance and the nearly 100,000 American troops currently stationed across Europe.
The idea is part of a broader shift within Europe to take more direct responsibility for regional security. Recent meetings of a “coalition of the willing,” including the most recent held in Paris on March 27, have focused on defining security guarantees and mapping out deployment logistics in case of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The talks included representatives from the U.K., France, and other NATO member states, with notable coordination involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a follow-up meeting on March 31.
While former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to directly participate in a European-led mission, current U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s commitment to NATO during his first meeting with alliance foreign ministers in Brussels.
However, he underscored a significant policy shift, calling on all NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP—more than double the alliance’s current 2% guideline.
“This war reminds us that deterrence through hard power is essential,” Rubio told reporters. “While the U.S. remains a committed partner, burden-sharing must reflect today’s security challenges.”
Rubio acknowledged that the spending hike would require time and domestic political adjustments, especially in countries like Belgium, Italy, and Spain, which still fall short of the 2% target.
However, he expressed confidence that NATO members would agree on a roadmap during the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague this June.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed the call for greater European responsibility but noted that member states have already made significant strides, marking the largest defense investment increase since the Cold War.
Rutte estimated that European and Canadian contributions could exceed 3% of GDP in the near future.
As NATO evaluates strategic vulnerabilities, discussions have also touched on a potential reduction of U.S. troop presence in Europe—possibly between 20,000 and 50,000 personnel.
Although Rubio has not addressed this directly, Rutte emphasized that any changes would be carefully coordinated to avoid weakening NATO’s defensive posture.
Beyond Ukraine, NATO is increasingly focused on a shifting global security environment marked by strengthening ties between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Alliance leaders are assessing how to respond to simultaneous threats in both the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is conducting separate ceasefire negotiations with Ukrainian officials, most recently in Saudi Arabia on March 25.
The parallel diplomatic tracks underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics as both NATO and individual nations consider their next moves in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and stability.
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