Ukraine's Intelligence Chief comments on whether peacekeepers guarantee security for Ukraine
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
The deployment of Western troops to Ukraine can hardly be considered a security guarantee. Throughout history, there was not a single country where the introduction of peacekeepers truly "worked," Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, says in an interview with the journalist Eynulla Fatullayev.
“There’s your answer. Maybe there is a case where it worked, but I don’t recall one. I have studied many examples. Nowhere. So, can this be considered a guarantee? Clearly, it is in doubt. Let’s just say - it is questionable,” Budanov explained.
At the same time, the Chief of Ukraine's Intelligence noted that the issue of what constitutes security guarantees is highly debatable. Currently, aside from Ukraine’s accession to NATO, no framework could ensure Ukraine’s protection.
Budanov also pointed out that non-NATO ally status does not provide security guarantees, as it entails obligations and support but nothing more.
Possible deployment of Western troops to Ukraine
Over the past year, Ukraine’s Western allies have been actively discussing the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine after the end of the full-scale war. Recently, the Dutch Parliament adopted a resolution on the potential deployment of peacekeepers. Sweden also did not rule out sending troops.
Meanwhile, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz believes that countries bordering Russia should not send their peacekeepers.
According to Western media reports, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to present a plan to US President Donald Trump next week for deploying 30,000 European peacekeepers to Ukraine.
