It is increasingly annoyed that US security priorities lie in another place, a group of European countries is working quietly on a plan to send forces to Ukraine to help implement any peace settlement in the future with Russia.
Britain and France are at the forefront of effort, although the details remain rare.
The countries participating in the discussions refrain from directing their hands and giving Russian President Vladimir Putin an advantage if he agreed to negotiate the end of the war he launched three years ago.
What is clear is that Ukraine President Voludmir Zelinski needs to ensure that his country’s security will be guaranteed in order to wander peace.
The best protection will be the NATO membership that Ukraine has long promised, but the United States has taken this option outside the table.
“I will not communicate with special capabilities, but I accept that if there is peace, there must be a kind of security guarantee for Ukraine and the UK will play its role in this,” said British Prime Minister Kiir Starmer in Ukraine and will play her role in this. Cautious notes on Thursday.
The Europeans began exploring the type of power required about a year ago, but the feeling of urgency amid anxiety that US President Donald Trump could exceed their heads, and perhaps even Ukraine, to conclude a deal with Putin.
Many questions remain without an answer, but one emerges: What is the role, if any, does the United States play?
In December, after Trump was elected, but before taking office, a group of leaders and ministers gathered with Zelinski in the residence of the NATO Secretary General Mark Retty in Brussels.
They came from Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Senior European Union officials also attended.
The talks built on the idea promoted by French President Emmanuel Macron in early 2024. At that time, he prompted his refusal to exclude the situation of forces on the ground in Ukraine to a protest, especially from the leaders of Germany and Poland.
Macron seemed isolated on the European stage, but his plan has gained traction since then.
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However, many about what the strength may seem to be and who will participate will depend on the conditions of any peace settlement, and more.
Italy has constitutional limits to the use of its forces. The Netherlands will need a green light from Parliament, as well as Germany, whose position can develop after the February 23 elections in a new government. Poland is careful, given the ongoing hostilities with Ukraine, which dates back to World War II.
Power makeup and role will be dictated with a kind of reached the peace agreement.
If Russia and Ukraine are able to agree on the conditions with the progress of negotiations, it is reasonable that fewer security reserves and smaller power are required.
But experts and officials warn, as in matters, the Europeans must spread a strong and expanding division, instead of a team of peacekeepers such as the United Nations “blue helmets”.
“It should be a real force (so) the Russians know that if they test this, they will be crushed. Ben Hodges, the former US army commander in Europe, said last month at the thought event at the European Policy Center:” You can make sure that Russia will test it. ” .
“Each agreement is violated. So if we send strength there, they must have air force, large ground forces, drones, anti -aircraft, air defense and missile. All this,” he said.
“If they go there with a group of blue helmets and rifles, they will be crushed.”
Retired French general Dominic Trinkand, former head of the military mission of France at the United Nations, agreed that United Nations peace specialists are more suitable for “publishing in the most stable areas.”
He said: “For beginners, this operation is escalating with the soldiers who have been taken from all over the world will take about a year.”
What is the size of the strength?
The nature of the peace deal will determine the size and location of the European unit.
Zelenskyy insisted on at least 100,000 to 150,000 soldiers. Media reports are about 30,000-40,000 powerful force. Diplomats and officials have not confirmed any of the number.
Ukraine also wants air support, not just shoes on Earth.
What is clear is that the Europeans will struggle to mobilize a large -scale power, and certainly they could not do it quickly.
In an interview on Friday with Financial Times, Macron said the idea of spreading a huge force is “far -fetched”.
He said: “We have to do suitable, realistic and well -studied things, measure and negotiate them.”
US Defense Secretary Beit Higseth this week insisted on “the strong international supervision of the communication line”, referring to an front line of about 1000 km (600 miles).
The Europeans are hesitant because this will require many forces.
Almost all of them agree that a kind of “Backstop America” is essential. The European Armed Forces have long relied on US logistical services, air transport and other military capabilities.
At the NATO headquarters on Wednesday, Higseth began describing the conditions that the United States might agree to a force that would help provide Ukraine with “strong security guarantees to ensure that the war does not start again.”
“Any security and non -European security guarantee should support a capable,” said Higseth nearly 50 Western Ukraine supporters.
If they go to Ukraine, he said: “They should be published as part of a non -NATO mission.”
Putin said that he fired partially due to the expansion of NATO lands near the borders of Russia, and is unlikely to accept any operation run by the largest military organization in the world.
Higseth said that any European allies participating will not benefit from ensuring the mass security of NATO if they were attacked. He stressed that “there will be no American forces scattered in Ukraine.”
He did not reveal the role that the United States might play.
From Ukraine’s point of view, the Europe process only will not work simply.
“Any security guarantees are impossible without Americans,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister will warn her on Thursday.
