Europe plans military mission in Ukraine: Number of troops named
French military personnel (Photo: Getty Images)
European countries are reviewing the parameters of a possible military presence in Ukraine amid peace negotiations, significantly reducing troop numbers and changing the format of any future mission, according to The Times.
Limited contingent instead of a large-scale mission
The UK and France are considering sending up to 15,000 troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached. These numbers are far lower than the plans previously discussed within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing.
Initially, London had considered deploying up to 10,000 British troops as part of a combined force of around 64,000, but current army capabilities have made that scenario unrealistic.
According to military sources, the actual contribution from the UK could be less than 7,500 soldiers, which is already considered a significant burden given that the country’s regular army comprises around 71,000 trained personnel.
France’s role and Germany’s position
France remains the only country besides the UK to publicly express readiness to deploy its troops directly to Ukraine.
French units are expected to supplement the overall contingent, with deployments planned in the western regions of the country, far from the front lines.
Several sources note that even the figure of 15,000 troops appears optimistic.
Germany, for its part, is considering deploying forces near Ukraine, particularly in Poland or Romania, allowing it to contribute to security without a direct presence inside the country.
Mission format and objectives
Depending on the outcome of peace negotiations, the size and format of the mission could change. French President Emmanuel Macron previously stated that several thousand French troops could be sent to Ukraine as a peacekeeping force.
Under the discussed plan, British and French forces would focus on training the Ukrainian army and overseeing the creation of secure facilities for storing weapons and military equipment intended to support the country’s defense.
Risk assessments
In British defense circles, it is believed that Russia is unlikely to violate a ceasefire agreement mediated by Donald Trump, fearing possible US retaliation.
\Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after a Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, ruled out sending Italian troops as part of potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Rome continues to support Ukraine’s security but without deploying its forces on Ukrainian territory.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also reported that the US has, for the first time, expressed willingness to consider providing Ukraine with security guarantees, which could include the presence of American troops on Ukrainian soil.
