Macron considers UN mission as alternative to European troops in Ukraine - Media
Photo: French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
The President of France is considering the possibility of establishing a UN-led mission to prevent a new Russian attack on Ukraine in the event of a potential peace agreement. This is being seen as an alternative to deploying European troops, according to The Telegraph.
According to the British newspaper, Macron is actively exploring various options that could serve as alternatives to sending a military contingent from European countries to Ukraine, and his plan has been developed in collaboration with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In particular, the French leader is considering the possibility of creating a mission to protect future peace agreements under the leadership of the United Nations.
Both the French president and the British prime minister are leading an initiative to create a coalition of the willing among NATO and EU countries to form peacekeeping forces with the support of US security guarantees.
Starmer hosted around 30 high-ranking military leaders from Europe and other countries in the UK to discuss plans. According to him, they are moving to the operational phase, but it remains unclear how many countries are willing to send troops or how such a plan would be implemented.
It is also reported that Macron raised the issue of an alternative to the UN at the European Council summit on Thursday with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who was a guest at the gathering of EU leaders.
"It comes as the Prime Minister is showing signs of shifting his focus away from European “boots on the ground” to secure a peace deal with Russia, and is turning instead towards air and sea support to defend Ukraine," states The Telegraph.
Issue on peacekeeping forces in Ukraine
Several European countries continue to discuss the possibility of sending their military forces to Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached between Kyiv and Moscow.
Recently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the creation of a "coalition of the willing" to ensure peace in Ukraine. The main goal of this coalition is to gather countries willing to send troops to Ukraine.
On March 20, Polish Chief of General Staff Wiesław Kukul stated that many options for a peacekeeping mission for Ukraine are currently being developed.
On March 17, Western media reported that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is ready to deploy thousands of British troops to Ukraine, where they could remain for many years.
On March 20, Bloomberg reported that peacekeeping forces in Ukraine would include aviation and the allies' fleet, not just ground forces. Additionally, The Times previously reported that the UK is prepared to send Typhoon fighter jets to support peace efforts in Ukraine.
On February 18, the Dutch parliament passed a resolution on the possible deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. Moreover, Sweden also does not rule out the possibility of sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his country is also considering sending its military forces to Ukraine.
It is important to note that the Russian side is categorically opposed to the potential deployment of NATO member state troops in Ukraine. However, UK Defense Secretary David Laming recently emphasized that Moscow has no right to forbid Europe from participating in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
