Zelenskyy: Discussion on deployment of peacekeepers from Europe continues, but many questions remain
France's initiative to deploy European forces in Ukraine as a deterrent to Russian aggression is taking shape, but the issue has not yet been resolved.
According to Censor.NET, this was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press.
He noted that the issue of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine was raised by French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump.
"I said in the presence of the two leaders that we are interested in this as part of security guarantees, but not as the only security guarantee. This is not enough. Imagine, there is a contingent. The question is, who is in charge? What will they do if there are Russian strikes? Missiles, landing, attack from the sea, crossing the land border, an offensive. What will they do? What are their powers?" the president said.
Asked whether he had asked these questions directly to Macron, Zelenskyy replied that the dialogue was ongoing.
"We are still in the process of this dialog," he said.
Peacekeeping forces in Ukraine
Earlier it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron would discuss with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if an agreement is reached to end the current phase of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk denied that Polish troops would be sent to Ukraine after the ceasefire.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas assessed the possibility of sending a European peacekeeping mission to Ukraine.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crozetto expressed his readiness to support a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine if peace is achieved.
In turn, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called these discussions "premature."
Germany, together with its partners , will consider the possible deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of "security guarantees" only after the conditions are created, namely a ceasefire with Russia.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has stated that several countries are currently considering participation in a potential contingent of Western allies in Ukraine. However, specific plans for the deployment of foreign troops are still under discussion.
