Zelenskyy outlines two options for hosting foreign troops in Ukraine

The president emphasized that the strongest security guarantee is a powerful Ukrainian army. However, two strategies for stationing Western troops in Ukraine are also under discussion.

One of them involves a larger military presence, but without an "American backstop" — that is, without security guarantees from the United States.

According to President Zelenskyy, the other approach involves deploying a smaller number of troops, but with a security guarantee similar to NATO’s Article 5.

"There are two directions. One involves a substantial troop presence, and the other — a smaller contingent that demonstrates presence. That is, fewer troops, but with the inclusion of something like Article 5," he said. "Or a mechanism similar to Article 5, which means that an attack on one country is considered an attack on all NATO members. These are different formats," he explained.

Zelenskyy also added that former US President Donald Trump assured him that the mineral resources agreement also serves as a security guarantee for Ukraine.

Peacekeeping contingent for Ukraine

Negotiations are ongoing about what deterrence measures should look like during a potential ceasefire and after the war ends. The United States has been urging Europe to deploy troops to Ukraine.

The United Kingdom and France have taken the lead in European peacekeeping efforts, forming what has been called a Coalition of the Willing. Its goal is to bring together countries prepared to send military personnel to Ukraine and offer other forms of support to ensure peace.

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed deploying so-called "deterrence forces" to Ukraine after the war ends.