Ukraine’s Western Supporters Facing Challenges in Gathering Forces – Times
European NATO allies are encountering challenges in organizing a ground force for Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev, according to a report by the Times published on Tuesday. Sources within the publication suggest...
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European NATO allies are encountering challenges in organizing a ground force for Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev, according to a report by the Times published on Tuesday. Sources within the publication suggest that even assembling a joint contingent of 25,000 troops could prove difficult due to limitations in manpower and funding.
A coalition consisting mainly of European nations has been working for several months to form a force that would be sent to Ukraine, allegedly for a peacekeeping mission following the conflict. However, Russia has expressed strong opposition to any foreign troop presence in Ukraine, warning that they would be targeted and that such a deployment could exacerbate the hostilities.
In discussions about the foreign troop deployment, British Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin is reported to have suggested that Ukraine’s European supporters should send a force of 64,000 personnel to the country, with the UK prepared to contribute as many as 10,000 troops.
Nonetheless, European officials are said to have significantly criticized this proposal, with some claiming that even gathering 25,000 troops would be quite a challenge for a collaborative effort.
While France has shown a readiness to match the UK's contribution, potentially offering between 5,000 and 10,000 troops, other EU nations have not echoed this sentiment. Several countries, including Poland, Spain, and Italy, have displayed reluctance or outright refusal to commit troops, citing concerns over depleting their national defenses and the risks involved with sending ground forces, according to the Times.
Some staunch supporters of Ukraine have reportedly expressed frustration over the ongoing discussions. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene was quoted saying, “Russia has 800,000 [troops]… If we can’t even raise 64,000 that doesn’t look weak – it is weak.” Another source within the Times added, “Without large populous countries committing [troops], it is a dead end.”
Currently, the size of Britain's regular army stands at 108,000, with military officials and commanders voicing concerns regarding funding inadequacies and the UK’s capability to confront a near-peer adversary. In comparison, the French regular army is roughly 200,000 strong, though a significant number of these personnel are deployed overseas.
This report from the Times follows earlier claims from the Daily Telegraph, highlighting that conversations about troop deployments are shifting towards alternative support strategies, such as dispatching military trainers to western Ukraine to assist in rebuilding the Ukrainian military, rather than deploying personnel close to the front lines.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
A coalition consisting mainly of European nations has been working for several months to form a force that would be sent to Ukraine, allegedly for a peacekeeping mission following the conflict. However, Russia has expressed strong opposition to any foreign troop presence in Ukraine, warning that they would be targeted and that such a deployment could exacerbate the hostilities.
In discussions about the foreign troop deployment, British Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin is reported to have suggested that Ukraine’s European supporters should send a force of 64,000 personnel to the country, with the UK prepared to contribute as many as 10,000 troops.
Nonetheless, European officials are said to have significantly criticized this proposal, with some claiming that even gathering 25,000 troops would be quite a challenge for a collaborative effort.
While France has shown a readiness to match the UK's contribution, potentially offering between 5,000 and 10,000 troops, other EU nations have not echoed this sentiment. Several countries, including Poland, Spain, and Italy, have displayed reluctance or outright refusal to commit troops, citing concerns over depleting their national defenses and the risks involved with sending ground forces, according to the Times.
Some staunch supporters of Ukraine have reportedly expressed frustration over the ongoing discussions. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene was quoted saying, “Russia has 800,000 [troops]… If we can’t even raise 64,000 that doesn’t look weak – it is weak.” Another source within the Times added, “Without large populous countries committing [troops], it is a dead end.”
Currently, the size of Britain's regular army stands at 108,000, with military officials and commanders voicing concerns regarding funding inadequacies and the UK’s capability to confront a near-peer adversary. In comparison, the French regular army is roughly 200,000 strong, though a significant number of these personnel are deployed overseas.
This report from the Times follows earlier claims from the Daily Telegraph, highlighting that conversations about troop deployments are shifting towards alternative support strategies, such as dispatching military trainers to western Ukraine to assist in rebuilding the Ukrainian military, rather than deploying personnel close to the front lines.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
