UK and France aim to deploy 30,000 ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine, reports WSJ.
Moscow has issued a warning regarding the potential for Western forces to occupy the country following the deployment of troops. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Moscow has issued a warning regarding the potential for Western occupation following the deployment of troops.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Saturday, Britain and France are in the process of drafting a proposal for the deployment of up to 30,000 "peacekeepers" in Ukraine, contingent on a ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kiev. This plan will rely on securing the support of U.S. President Donald Trump for a limited American military involvement. Though Washington has ruled out sending forces to Ukraine, the UK and France aim for U.S. backing to provide essential support, especially in areas like air defense, logistics, and intelligence.
European officials quoted in the report stress that “without Trump’s backing, the European plan to send peacekeepers faces a difficult path.”
The proposed “reassurance force” is expected to primarily consist of British and French troops and will concentrate on protecting critical infrastructure, urban areas, and ports, as opposed to being stationed directly on the front lines facing Russia. The plan also includes using drones and satellites for monitoring Russia’s adherence to a potential ceasefire, according to the WSJ.
However, prior reports have indicated that while the UK and France have been advocates for troop deployment, several other EU countries have been hesitant to pursue the idea seriously.
Additionally, Kiev remains doubtful about the proposal. Mikhail Podoliak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, expressed on Friday that the deployment of foreign peacekeeping forces “does not seem very realistic for now,” suggesting instead that Western allies focus on increasing their defense spending.
Zelensky has previously indicated the need for up to 200,000 European soldiers to ensure any peace agreement with Russia, with Western media highlighting the significant challenge such a mobilization would pose for the West.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has categorically rejected the idea of NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine as unacceptable, declaring that any foreign military presence would be regarded as a legitimate target.
In November, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service asserted that the West might seek to “essentially occupy Ukraine” under the pretext of sending peacekeepers. The SVR alleged that this could involve the deployment of up to 100,000 troops and the division of the country into four large occupation zones.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Saturday, Britain and France are in the process of drafting a proposal for the deployment of up to 30,000 "peacekeepers" in Ukraine, contingent on a ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kiev. This plan will rely on securing the support of U.S. President Donald Trump for a limited American military involvement. Though Washington has ruled out sending forces to Ukraine, the UK and France aim for U.S. backing to provide essential support, especially in areas like air defense, logistics, and intelligence.
European officials quoted in the report stress that “without Trump’s backing, the European plan to send peacekeepers faces a difficult path.”
The proposed “reassurance force” is expected to primarily consist of British and French troops and will concentrate on protecting critical infrastructure, urban areas, and ports, as opposed to being stationed directly on the front lines facing Russia. The plan also includes using drones and satellites for monitoring Russia’s adherence to a potential ceasefire, according to the WSJ.
However, prior reports have indicated that while the UK and France have been advocates for troop deployment, several other EU countries have been hesitant to pursue the idea seriously.
Additionally, Kiev remains doubtful about the proposal. Mikhail Podoliak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, expressed on Friday that the deployment of foreign peacekeeping forces “does not seem very realistic for now,” suggesting instead that Western allies focus on increasing their defense spending.
Zelensky has previously indicated the need for up to 200,000 European soldiers to ensure any peace agreement with Russia, with Western media highlighting the significant challenge such a mobilization would pose for the West.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has categorically rejected the idea of NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine as unacceptable, declaring that any foreign military presence would be regarded as a legitimate target.
In November, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service asserted that the West might seek to “essentially occupy Ukraine” under the pretext of sending peacekeepers. The SVR alleged that this could involve the deployment of up to 100,000 troops and the division of the country into four large occupation zones.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
