Zelensky raises prospect of European peacekeepers in Ukraine
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking during a press conference at the European Union Summit in Brussels on Dec 19.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BRUSSELS – President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec 19 that he had discussed with European leaders the possibility of sending European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire or peace deal, as the country’s allies consider options on how to help Kyiv end the fighting with Russia on favourable terms.
But the Ukrainian leader added that deploying peacekeepers would not be enough to ensure the country’s long-term security, and that only North Atlantic Treaty Organisation membership could secure Ukraine against future Russian attacks.
“As long as Ukraine is not in Nato, this aspect can be considered,” Mr Zelensky said of the peacekeeper idea, after a meeting with European counterparts
The notion of peacekeepers has been greeted with scepticism in several European capitals; Mr Zelensky said no decision had yet been taken on sending them, and emphasised that any such move would require careful consideration.
“If we’re talking about a contingent, we need to know specifically how many, what they will do and how they will respond if there’s aggression from Russia,” he said. “There’s a lot to consider. We are discussing this topic. It’s important that we raise these issues.”
His remarks came at a meeting of European leaders at a one-day summit to discuss several issues, including Europe’s relationship with the United States and the need for stability in Syria. The question of how European countries could step up support for Ukraine in Russia’s war dominated the discussions.
That war has increasingly been taking a precarious turn. Ukrainian forces have been steadily losing ground, and Russian troops, aided by fighters from North Korea, are advancing with better equipment and in bigger numbers.
With President-elect Donald Trump potentially poised to cut back US assistance to Ukraine once he takes office in a month, European leaders have said they urgently need to deliver more air defence systems and weapons to Ukraine.
The peacekeeper proposal has gained traction in recent days after Trump reportedly pushed for it in a meeting in Paris with the Ukrainian leader and President Emmanuel Macron of France two weeks ago.
Since then, Mr Zelensky’s repeated references to such a plan may be an attempt to appeal to Trump, who has called for a quick end to the war. NYTIMES
