Lithuania estimates how many peacekeepers Ukraine needs to deter Russia
Photo: Lithuania does not rule out sending its soldiers to Ukraine (Getty Images)
After Russia's war against Ukraine is over, hundreds of thousands of soldiers may need to be sent to Ukraine. Only this number of peacekeepers will be able to deter Russia from military action in the future, according to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
“We know what numbers are needed to deter Russia. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of soldiers,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.
According to Budrys, the fact that European countries are finally discussing the issue of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine out loud is already an achievement.
Answering the question of whether Lithuania is ready to join this initiative, the minister replied in the affirmative. Budrys noted that this issue was discussed at the summit in France last year. At that time, they talked about new possible forms of support for Ukraine and the possible sending of soldiers.
“At that time, Lithuania said that we do not exclude this option, and now we do not exclude it. However, we need to act and plan, and then talk about specific things. Because peacekeeping and peace enforcement within a particular mandate are different things,” Budrys emphasized.
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister is confident that after reaching a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, tough decisions must be made to prevent Russian aggression in the future. One of them is sending troops from European countries to the territory of Ukraine.
“I don't believe that Russia will abide by the agreement because I have not seen a single peace-related agreement that it has fulfilled,” Budrys concluded.
Peacekeepers in Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he is ready and willing to deploy British troops to Ukraine. They will help ensure the implementation of any peace agreement.
Sweden also does not rule out the possibility of sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. They can help maintain a sustainable peace. This was stated by Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
However, Poland will not send troops to Ukraine as part of the peacekeeping force. Warsaw is ready to continue its logistical, financial, humanitarian, and military support for Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized.
Spain remains cautious on this issue. Foreign MinisterJosé Albares said that it is too early to discuss sending troops to Ukraine. He emphasized the need to achieve peace.
