Some of the main European countries are ready to send soldiers to Ukraine after a peace agreement. But the block that opposes still weighs and has a very different plan to resolve the impasse
The main European countries remain divided regarding the sending of a force to maintain peace in Ukraine composed of military from various European countries. Powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and some northern European countries are willing to send tens of thousands of soldiers to the Russian border, however, Germany continues to oppose this project.
And Germany is not alone. Poland and Baltic countries are also very reticent with the idea, the Times advances, which cites several diplomats close to the process. These countries believe this mission would risk diverting military resources from European countries from NATO to another region, leaving their own borders more exposed to a possible Russian attack.
According to a source of the British government, the option that is being studied involves sending European military from various countries, which would operate under US “air shield”. It is not clear what this protection layer may mean in practice, but the publication suggests that it may undergo the detachment of several long -range Patriot antiaeras, capable of protecting the European military against Russian ballistic missiles.
Although consensus between European countries is increasing, there is the idea that a decision of this nature would always have to be coordinated with the Trump administration, which will negotiate security guarantees with Moscow.
It is also not clear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would be willing to accept the creation of such a force to be parked by his border.
One of the doubts raised in the corridors of power about this plan is Europe’s true capacity to create a sufficiently large force that is able to deter Russia to launch a new attack after rebuilding its army after a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that a peacekeeping force should have at least 200,000 soldiers. A source from the British Army told The Times that the UK could send between 10 to 25,000 soldiers to the country. However, this could “stretch” the English device too much, which already has thousands of soldiers highlighted in Estonia.
But a defense force of this dimension would never be possible without the presence of the United States and Zelensky himself admitted it. A force of 200,000 soldiers forces Western armies to have a three times larger number of military. This is because, besides those on the ground, it is necessary to rest those who have been highlighted and train those who prepare to go.
Other diplomats advocate an alternative solution headed by the United Nations, composed of military personnel from neutral countries such as China, India or Bangladesh. This solution would allow countries to continue the defense of European territory and prevent direct involvement in the US and Europe in the region.
