Zelenskyy on foreign contingent: Taking into account opinion of Russian Federation is bad signal
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers it a bad signal to listen to the opinion of the Russian side on the deployment of a potential peacekeeping contingent.
He said this at an online meeting of country leaders to support Ukraine, Censor.NET reports.
"It is a very bad signal to listen to the Russians' opinion on the contingent. The contingent should be deployed on Ukrainian soil. This is a guarantee of security for Ukraine and for Europe. If Putin wants to bring some foreign contingent into the territory of Russia, this is his business. But it's not his business to decide anything about the security of Ukraine and Europe," Zelenskyy emphasized.
He also noted that it is necessary to "work on the contingents that will form the basis of the future European Armed Forces."
"We have to form a clear position on security guarantees. Security is the key to establishing a reliable and lasting peace. We need to continue working on the contingents that will form the basis of the future European Armed Forces. Peace will be more reliable with the presence of European contingents on the ground, which will be supported by the American side," the Head of State said.
He emphasized the importance of investing in defense production both in Ukraine and in Europe.
The President also emphasized to the leaders of partner countries the importance of strengthening air defense both in Ukraine and in the future in their countries.
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 in the event of an agreement 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.
