'Goodwill is not enough': Zelenskyy names partners in talks on troop deployment to Ukraine

Deployment of peacekeepers

"Today we are discussing this French initiative regarding the deployment of a military contingent. We discussed it with Macron (Emmanuel Macron, President of France - ed.), Poland, and our Baltic partners. We are also discussing it with the UK," the president stated.

Zelenskyy noted that it is too early to disclose any details on this matter. However, the dialogue is being held specifically with those partners who are genuinely ready to take this step because "goodwill alone is not enough."

Additionally, as Zelenskyy explained, discussing the size of the military contingent is inappropriate, as it will depend on the format of security guarantees Ukraine receives. The deployment of troops itself could only be a segment of future guarantees.

No security guarantees without the US

"In any case, we are not considering any security guarantees without the United States. Therefore, it is too early to discuss the details. We have not yet had a substantive conversation about security guarantees with the new US administration," he added.

The president explained that a dialogue with the new US administration regarding security guarantees is still expected. Only then will it be possible to have an idea of the future security structure of the country.

Issue of deploying foreign troops to Ukraine

Discussions on the deployment of peacekeepers are already underway. As the president previously noted, the initiative came from French leader Emmanuel Macron. However, his proposal initially sparked only an active debate among the countries supporting Ukraine. Nevertheless, some nations expressed readiness to consider this prospect.

As Zelenskyy previously stated, the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine is one of the most effective tools to compel the enemy to peace.