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European countries are reviewing the scale and format of a potential military presence in Ukraine amid peace negotiations, significantly reducing troop numbers compared with earlier plans, according to The Times.
Limited contingent instead of a large-scale mission
The UK and France are considering sending up to 15,000 troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached, far fewer than previously discussed within the “coalition of the willing.” Initially, London contemplated contributing up to 10,000 British soldiers as part of a combined force of around 64,000. Current army capabilities, however, make this unrealistic. Military sources suggest the UK may provide fewer than 7,500 troops, a substantial commitment given that the regular army has about 71,000 trained personnel.
France and Germany’s role
France is the only other country besides the UK publicly willing to deploy troops directly to Ukraine. French units would likely be stationed in the western regions of Ukraine, away from the front lines. Some sources note that even a total of 15,000 troops is an optimistic estimate. Germany is considering deploying forces near Ukraine, such as in Poland or Romania, allowing it to participate in security without a direct presence inside the country.
Mission format and objectives
The size and format of the mission may change depending on the outcome of peace talks. French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested sending a few thousand French troops as a “peacekeeping force.” The plan under discussion focuses on training Ukrainian forces and securing protected sites for storing weapons and military equipment to support the country’s defense.
Risk assessments
UK defense officials believe Russia would likely respect a ceasefire agreement brokered by Donald Trump, fearing potential U.S. reactions. Italy has ruled out deploying troops to Ukraine but continues to support its security. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted that the U.S. is considering providing security guarantees to Ukraine, potentially including the presence of American forces on Ukrainian territory.
