French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reportedly begun secret talks about deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine in the wake of a potential ceasefire agreement, according to senior UK government sources cited by The Telegraph.
While the details are confidential, sources indicate that Starmer has yet to give final approval for British troop involvement. Concerns include the potential risks to deployed forces and the possibility of escalating tensions.
Former British Defense Secretaries Grant Shapps and Gavin Williamson have previously called for a peacekeeping mission to support Ukraine. Williamson emphasized the importance of bolstering Kyiv’s security, stating it could be achieved through NATO or trusted partners like the UK.
France has reportedly conducted secret military exercises to prepare for deploying troops in Ukraine, including scenarios involving a Russian offensive from Belarus, according to Intelligence Online.
Macron has also discussed the idea of peacekeepers with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described such a mission as “one of the best tools” to compel Russia toward peace.
The concept of deploying Western troops was initially floated by Macron in February 2024 and gained traction among European nations as a potential measure to monitor a ceasefire.
European Contingent and US Stance
The proposed peacekeeping mission could involve a force of 40,000 troops from five to eight countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Poland. Security analysts estimate that up to 100,000 troops may be necessary to safeguard Ukraine against future Russian aggression, according to Reuters.
US President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for the European initiative but stressed that American forces would not participate. Trump argued that Europe should take the lead in supporting Ukraine and maintaining regional security.
