According to the Washington Post, on February 17 (local time), European leaders discussed the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire agreement, while seeking support from the US to ensure the success of this plan.
Although there has been no official decision, the idea of a European military force playing a deterrent role has received much attention, especially in the context of negotiations between the US and Russian governments taking place in the near future.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called a meeting with top European leaders in Paris to promote plans to support Ukraine and seek consensus on the possibility of military deployment. Mr. Macron also had a phone call with President Donald Trump to discuss this issue.
While the US has ruled out the possibility of deploying its troops to Ukraine, European officials said the Trump administration has not ruled out providing support for a European military force. Some requests from Europe include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support and possibly air defense or air support to protect the military.
A US Q&A panel has been sent to European capitals to assess the possibility of mobilizing soldiers and military equipment to Ukraine, according to the sources. This has prompted more serious discussions about the possibility of military deployment in recent times.
Europe's current plan is to aim for a deterrent or security force of around 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers. This force will not station along the conflict line but will act as a deterrent, ready to respond if Russia restartes the war. At the same time, an outside support force outside Ukraine could also be deployed to ensure quick response when needed.
France is the country with the most detailed military deployment plan, with the ability to mobilize nearly 10,000 soldiers. However, some European countries are still cautious or are facing difficulties due to military limitations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer first said on the evening of February 16 that he was ready to deploy troops in Ukraine if necessary. He affirmed that this was not an easy decision but emphasized that any role in ensuring security for Ukraine means protecting the security of the whole of Europe.
France and the UK, Europe's only two nuclear powers, are leading the discussions. Several other countries, including Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, as well as the Nordic and Baltic countries, are also participating in the plan.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said that this plan not only needs political support from the US but also needs advantages in the ability to expand if tensions or conflicts occur. He stressed that US participation is necessary to ensure Ukraine's security as well as NATO's defense and deterrence capabilities.
Discussions are still ongoing, with the aim of completing a specific plan in the coming weeks. European countries are discussing specific military contributions from each country to develop the most efficient deployment force.
