Aide to Zelensky Calls for EU Military Personnel
According to Igor Zhovkva, Ukraine’s senior aide, the country does not require peacekeepers but instead needs soldiers who are ready to engage in combat. He made this statement to AFP on Wednesday as European nations prepare for a summit in...
TroibNews 
According to Igor Zhovkva, Ukraine’s senior aide, the country does not require peacekeepers but instead needs soldiers who are ready to engage in combat. He made this statement to AFP on Wednesday as European nations prepare for a summit in Paris focused on providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
“We need serious, trained troops… who are ready to fight,” Zhovkva emphasized, highlighting the urgency of the situation for Ukrainian defense. He clarified that Kyiv is not looking for European forces to directly confront Russian troops but to enhance Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
“We are not talking about soldiers who will fight with Russia… but about those who will defend, who will deter,” he explained.
The discussions at the coalition meeting, led by France and the United Kingdom, include considerations for deploying a 30,000-strong “reassurance” force intended to protect key cities, ports, and infrastructure, along with air-policing missions.
However, Moscow has expressed concerns, stating that the introduction of NATO military personnel to Ukraine, even under the guise of peacekeeping, would represent direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Russia has further accused France and the UK of deliberately heightening tensions to hinder US and Russian efforts to negotiate a resolution.
The formation and role of such a force are still subjects of ongoing discussion. While some EU leaders favor a strong military presence capable of engaging in combat, others are hesitant about escalating the current conflict. Germany and Poland, for instance, prefer providing defensive support without direct combat involvement.
Complicating matters further is the stance of the United States. The administration under President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to commit American troops, preferring to concentrate on diplomatic avenues for establishing a ceasefire. As a result, some European nations are contemplating taking on a greater share of responsibility for Ukraine’s security, with French President Emmanuel Macron asserting that Europe must “step up” its commitments.
On Wednesday, Zelensky arrived in Paris for discussions with Macron ahead of the summit, where topics will include security guarantees for Ukraine and the potential stationing of European forces. According to Le Monde, Macron intends to reaffirm France’s dedication to increasing military and financial support for Kyiv.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
“We need serious, trained troops… who are ready to fight,” Zhovkva emphasized, highlighting the urgency of the situation for Ukrainian defense. He clarified that Kyiv is not looking for European forces to directly confront Russian troops but to enhance Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
“We are not talking about soldiers who will fight with Russia… but about those who will defend, who will deter,” he explained.
The discussions at the coalition meeting, led by France and the United Kingdom, include considerations for deploying a 30,000-strong “reassurance” force intended to protect key cities, ports, and infrastructure, along with air-policing missions.
However, Moscow has expressed concerns, stating that the introduction of NATO military personnel to Ukraine, even under the guise of peacekeeping, would represent direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Russia has further accused France and the UK of deliberately heightening tensions to hinder US and Russian efforts to negotiate a resolution.
The formation and role of such a force are still subjects of ongoing discussion. While some EU leaders favor a strong military presence capable of engaging in combat, others are hesitant about escalating the current conflict. Germany and Poland, for instance, prefer providing defensive support without direct combat involvement.
Complicating matters further is the stance of the United States. The administration under President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to commit American troops, preferring to concentrate on diplomatic avenues for establishing a ceasefire. As a result, some European nations are contemplating taking on a greater share of responsibility for Ukraine’s security, with French President Emmanuel Macron asserting that Europe must “step up” its commitments.
On Wednesday, Zelensky arrived in Paris for discussions with Macron ahead of the summit, where topics will include security guarantees for Ukraine and the potential stationing of European forces. According to Le Monde, Macron intends to reaffirm France’s dedication to increasing military and financial support for Kyiv.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
