The deployment of a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine has become one of the key topics of security discussions in Europe, especially in the context of a possible ceasefire. Despite the fact that President Volodymyr Zelenskyi expects to send 100,000 to 150,000 European troops to guarantee stability, the prospects for such a mission remain uncertain. Most European leaders are currently avoiding concrete answers, considering the discussion of this issue premature.
The main obstacles to the implementation of the peacekeeping mission are not only the political will of the countries, but also the limitation of military resources, as well as the issue of deploying the contingent – directly on the demarcation line or in remote regions. Currently, this idea remains a theoretical scenario, around which diplomatic discussions continue.
Positions of individual countries
Switzerland is one of the few countries that is open stated about potential participation in a peacekeeping mission. The Commander-in-Chief of its Armed Forces, Thomas Züssli, noted that in case of a corresponding request and decision of the government, the country could send about 200 peacekeepers for a period of up to a year. However, he emphasized that these discussions remain hypothetical at the moment, as the war continues and no request has been received from the UN. Switzerland has experience in participating in peacekeeping operations, in particular in Kosovo, where its military cooperates with NATO forces. For presence in Ukraine expressed and Finland. According to the Union of Reservists, a significant number of Finnish volunteers are ready to join a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. The number of applicants is the highest in the last 20 years.
Among other European countries that could potentially take part in a peacekeeping mission, the following are named:
- Great Britain (138,100 troops)
- France (204.7 thousand)
- The Netherlands (41.9 thousand)
- Sweden (23.1 thousand)
As we can see on the infographic, Poland has the largest army among European NATO members (216,000). However, Warsaw is ready to limit itself only to logistical and political support of the mission. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that sending Polish troops is not under consideration, and the Minister of Defense emphasized the risks of provocations if countries bordering Russia are involved in the peacekeeping operation.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
Germany (185,600 troops) also does not plan to send its troops. Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands out against the participation of German peacekeepers in Ukraine. Scholz repeatedly spoke out against sending German peacekeepers to Ukraine during the active phase of the war. He considers such discussions premature and inappropriate, stressing the need to first achieve a ceasefire and begin real negotiations. Scholz emphasizes that a peaceful settlement cannot be imposed on Ukraine without its participation, and that any decisions on the security architecture should be discussed only after the hostilities are over. He also notes that there will be no European troops, including German ones, in Ukraine during the war.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
In Italy (171,400 troops), Prime Minister Georgia Maloney expresses doubts about the realism of such a scenario. The Czech Republic (29.5 thousand) has not yet decided on its position.
Other European countries
In addition to the mentioned states, a number of other countries have also expressed their opinions regarding a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, although they have not yet made any concrete commitments.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
Denmark (17,300 troops) actively supports Ukraine with military aid, but has not made any official statements regarding the peacekeeping mission. Norway (24 thousand) traditionally participates in international peacekeeping operations, in particular under the auspices of the UN and NATO, but has not yet declared its readiness to send its forces to Ukraine. Spain (117,000) has not made any official statements regarding the peacekeeping mission, although it continues to support Ukraine financially and supplies military equipment. The Baltic countries (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) are among the most determined allies of Ukraine, but due to limited resources, their participation in the peacekeeping mission is unlikely.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
Global players
Although the EU may support the creation of such a mission, the participation of countries outside Europe is not yet considered. The US has not expressed its intention to send its troops, because the Trump administration avoids direct involvement of the US military in the conflict.
Even if an agreement is reached on a peacekeeping mission, the question of its mandate remains open. Usually, such operations are carried out under the auspices of the UN or NATO, but Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, can block the relevant resolution. An alternative could be a mission supported by the EU or a coalition of individual countries.
The security of the peacekeepers themselves is also a key issue – the risk of a new escalation, especially on the demarcation line, makes such a mission extremely difficult.
