Kiev’s backers remain split on a proposed “reassurance force” that could potentially be deployed to Ukraine
Only six Western nations have pledged to send troops to Ukraine after the hostilities between Kiev and Moscow end, AFP has reported. Most of Ukraine’s supporters are reluctant to make any promises, according to the agency.
The report comes after the latest meeting of defense ministers from the so-called “coalition of the willing” in Brussels on Thursday. The group of some 30 nations, predominantly composed of EU and NATO member states, appears to remain split on a potential deployment. Its members are questioning the goals and mandate of the proposed mission.
Thus far, only six nations, including the UK, France, and the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – have promised to contribute troops, the AFP reported, citing unnamed European officials. The sixth state in the group was not named by the agency.
Britain, has insisted the coalition has actual plans to deploy, claiming that the troops would contribute to a “lasting peace” between Russia and Ukraine.
“Our planning is real and substantial. Our plans are well developed,” UK defense minister John Healey told the meeting. “Our reassurance force for Ukraine would be a committed and credible security arrangement to ensure that any negotiated peace does bring what [US President Donald] Trump has pledged, a lasting peace for Ukraine,” he added.
Other coalition members, however, have publicly expressed concerns about a potential mission, refusing to make any commitment before plans are more fleshed out. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the group must have the US on board, though Washington has repeatedly said it has no plans to send troops to Ukraine in any role.
“What is the potential mission, what is going to be the goal?” Brekelmans wondered. “What is the mandate? What would we do in the different scenarios, for example, if there would be any escalation regarding Russia?”
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson highlighted “a number of questions that we need to get clarified” before it could make any promises. “It’s helpful if there’s a clarity of what that mission would entail, and what do we do – if we are peacekeeping, deterrence or reassurance,” he said.
Moscow has repeatedly warned the West against deploying troops to Ukraine under any pretext, specifically objecting to forces from any NATO countries ending up in the country. Last month, former Russian President and the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, said that the potential emergence of any NATO “peacekeepers” in Ukraine would mean a war between the bloc and Russia.
