Western Powers Plan Troop Deployment in Ukraine as Security Guarantee, Russia Responds with Threats
Western powers, including the US, EU, UK, and France, are aiming to finalize a security agreement that involves the deployment of troops in Ukraine. This move is seen as a guarantee against further Russian aggression in the region, as reported by TASS. However, Russia has warned that any Western military presence in Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target
, according to Le Monde and The Hindu.
Background and Context
The proposed plan for peace and security in Ukraine is a reaction to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside US President Donald Trump and European leaders, have been pushing for a ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement. Turkey has expressed interest in joining Ukraine’s security guarantees not only at sea but also in the air, according to Ukrinform.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has defended Russian troops' presence in Ukraine stating they are carrying out a holy mission
to defend the homeland, as per Ukrinform.
Key Developments
The security guarantees for Kyiv are reported to include a US-led monitoring mechanism and a European multinational force that would be deployed if a ceasefire could be reached. France and the UK have signed a “declaration of intent” to deploy forces to Ukraine after a peace deal is reached, as reported by RT and Al Jazeera.
Russia has strongly condemned this move, with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto warning that the move risks a “direct war” with Russia. Russia has stated that any troops sent to Ukraine by the ‘coalition of the willing’ would be viewed as foreign intervention and would be targeted, as reported by Fox News and TASS.
Reactions and Implications
The proposed peacekeeping plan has received mixed reactions. While Germany has expressed readiness to contribute to efforts to maintain a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, as reported by TASS, Russia has slammed the plan, branding it as “dangerous” and dubbing Kyiv and its allies an “axis of war”, according to Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post.
Several European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Estonia, and Lithuania, have expressed readiness to participate in the multinational force
, according to Le Monde.
Current Status
The situation remains tense, with Russia rejecting the statement of intentions from France and the UK regarding the sending of soldiers to Kyiv. The Kremlin's spokesperson has warned that foreign troops, military infrastructure, or facilities on Ukrainian territory will be viewed by Moscow as direct foreign intervention, as per Fox News.
The proposed peace plan and security agreement are yet to be finalized, and the implications for the conflict in Ukraine remain uncertain.