Sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine will be main topic of Munich conference - NYT
The deployment of European peacekeepers to Ukraine will be a central topic of discussion at the Munich Security Conference to be held on February 14-16.
This is reported by The New York Times, Censor.NET informs.
The newspaper writes that the prospect of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has accelerated discussions about sending European troops to Ukraine to monitor the ceasefire and help deter Russia from a possible re-invasion.
However, as the NYT notes, the question is which countries are willing to send peacekeepers, how many, and whether Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will agree to it.
"This topic will undoubtedly be the main focus of discussion this week at the annual Munich Security Conference, which will be attended by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio," the newspaper writes.
The issue of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine has already been raised by some European countries, namely France, Britain, and the Baltic states. At the same time, the German authorities consider this idea premature.
The NYT writes that without US participation in such an operation - without American air cover, missile defense and intelligence - European troops would be at serious risk and even attacked by Russia.
The publication also recalls that earlier President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if Ukraine is not accepted into NATO, up to 200,000 foreign troops will be needed to ensure its security. At the same time, analysts consider this figure too high, as it is, for example, three times the size of the British army.
According to Lawrence Friedman, professor emeritus of military studies at King's College London, quoted by the publication, a real deterrent force typically requires "more than 100,000 troops on mission" for regular rotations and emergencies.
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.
