The EU defence summit ended on Thursday, but once again those present failed to reach an agreement and make a decision on Ukraine, so the issue was postponed until the next meeting.
Hungary opposes “peace through force”
The decision to support Ukraine could not be made due to Hungary’s disagreement. The text of the statement was supported by 26 EU heads of state. Hungary opposed Europe’s proposed “peace through force.” The country also disagreed with the statement on the interconnection of transatlantic, global, European and Ukrainian security.
“The EU discussed the latest developments regarding Ukraine. The text prepared received strong support from 26 heads of state. The European Council will return to the discussion at the next meeting,” the document said.
According to Hungary’s statements, the EU is leaning towards the continuation of the conflict. The country did not support such a decision.
Macron wants to “deploy European forces” to guarantee peace
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the chiefs of general staff of countries “ready to guarantee a future peace in Ukraine” will meet in Paris next week.
Speaking in a televised address to the nation the night before, Macron admitted that it may be necessary to “deploy European forces” to guarantee peace in Ukraine. The French president said:
“They will not go to fight today, they will not go to fight on the front line, but they will be there as soon as peace is signed to guarantee its full respect.”
US President Donald Trump earlier said that he did not object to the idea of deploying peacekeepers from European countries in Ukraine. At the same time, he noted that he did not see the point in a US peacekeeping contingent “because we are far away.”
At the same time, Trump pointed out that the format of the peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine would have to suit all parties. The American leader is confident that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be against the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. He said that he had asked the Russian president this question and he “has no problem with it.”
Role of peacekeepers
The idea of using peacekeepers in Ukraine as security guarantees for Kyiv belongs not only to France, but also to the UK. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously said that London is ready to deploy its troops in Ukraine to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement. And British ministers have suggested that the air force be deployed for this purpose.
“In theory, dozens of Typhoon fighter jets could be put on standby to respond to any Russian attacks, while a smaller ground peacekeeping force from Britain and other European countries would provide protection on the ground,”The Times reported.
A Royal Air Force source told the media that “discussions are at an early stage but the air force is prepared to do whatever it is told to do.”
The Times also wrote that a “UK-led air policing mission” could be modelled on NATO missions already underway in the Baltic states. According to the source, “this is more likely than the creation of a no-fly zone.” The aircraft could be based in Poland.
UK Defence Journal says that despite London’s statement, the UK is not ready to send its “peacekeeping force” to Ukraine, due to a lack of the necessary funds, troops, equipment and ammunition.
According to the publication, years of defence cuts have deprived British troops of the ability to wage war against an equal opponent for a long time. The number of troops has fallen from 100,000 in 2000 to about 70,000.
Britain also lacks the ability to produce armaments at the levels required for modern warfare. A lot of immediate capital investment will be needed to increase weapons production, as well as rebuilding supporting infrastructure such as airfields and storage facilities, the UK Defence Journal stresses.
It’s all up to Trump
The Wall Street Journal, in its turn, citing sources, specified that the UK and France are developing plans to deploy 30,000 military personnel in Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached.
However, according to the media, all these proposals depend on whether the US president can be persuaded to accept a limited role for the US military – which British officials have called a “backstop” – to protect European troops in Ukraine if they are threatened and deter Russia from violating the ceasefire.
In general, the Europeans’ plan does not involve stationing U.S. troops in Ukraine, but rather using US military capabilities in areas where European states lack. Among other things, the US proposes to:
- to cover part of Ukraine’s airspace with its air defence systems deployed in neighbouring states;
- transfer air defence assets to the Europeans;
- keep its air force on standby in case of an emergency;
- provide logistical and intelligence assistance.
WSJ sourсes specify that the main supporter of the plan is London. British authorities believe that US participation is crucial to deter Russia and to convince other European countries to send troops. However, the British and French military, along with naval and air force assets, will not be stationed in eastern Ukraine, but will have to protect critical infrastructure, cities and ports. Satellites and drones will monitor the line of demarcation between the two sides.
