Following Donald Tump's return to the White House, interest in this idea has surged again.
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated that at least 200,000 peacekeepers would be required for effective deterrence against Russia and to ensure a peaceful resolution. However, in practical terms, Ukraine is reportedly expecting the presence of 40,000 to 50,000 foreign troops, which would be sufficient and realistic.
"The mission will pursue three objectives: to assure Ukraine of Western support, to deter Russia from further aggression, and to demonstrate to the U.S. that Europe is committed to ensuring Ukraine's security," FT writes.
As noted by Kamil Grand, a former NATO official, these forces need to be strong enough that Russia cannot easily test them, yet numerous enough to avoid requiring immediate reinforcements. European countries, as highlighted by FT, largely agree to such a mission, provided they do not engage in combat. Their role would be limited to stabilizing forces or deterrent forces, rather than fully neutral peacekeepers. This is reminiscent of the example in South Korea, where a significant portion of the military presence is American, while combat operations are conducted by the local army.
However, experts warn that these plans hinge on successful peace negotiations with Russia, which would allow Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty and control over its territory. A potential negative move from Moscow or a breach of any agreements remains a concern. Additionally, European countries may hesitate to participate in peacekeeping missions due to fears of escalating the conflict with Russia.
Source: ft.