EU alienated due to Western troops in Ukraine
(MENAFN) The European Union is split over the idea of deploying a Western-led peacekeeping force to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached between Kiev and Moscow, according to The Times. Germany is against the proposal, partly due to its upcoming February elections, while the Baltic states and Poland worry that such a deployment could divert NATO’s attention and resources, leaving them vulnerable.
On the other hand, the UK, France, and Nordic countries are the strongest proponents of a peacekeeping mission, although even these nations express concerns that the EU would struggle to carry out the operation without US support. A European diplomat noted that Washington’s involvement would be essential, citing the US's unique military capabilities, including its ability to retaliate on a large scale. However, US President Donald Trump has stated that the US should not provide troops or funding for such a mission.
Tensions have also arisen over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent request for at least 200,000 peacekeepers, a number that would be difficult for the EU alone to provide. Moscow has consistently opposed the idea of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, with senior Russian officials warning that any military force entering Ukraine without Russia's consent would be considered a legitimate target.
Some EU officials suggest that a non-Western peacekeeping force, involving neutral countries like India, Bangladesh, or China, could be a more viable option, as it would not require US involvement and might be more acceptable to Moscow. Russia has dismissed the idea of peacekeepers as irrelevant, given that Zelensky has signed a law banning talks with the current Russian leadership. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service has also warned that peacekeepers could be used as a pretext for further conflict.
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