The British Prime Minister will propose to Trump a plan to deploy 30,000 EU troops in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, will present Donald Trump with a plan to deploy around 30,000 European troops in Ukraine to maintain a ceasefire. This was reported by The Telegraph citing sources, as reported by UNN.
Details
It is expected that Starmer will elaborate on how European troops can ensure compliance with any ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting in Washington next week.
According to Western officials familiar with these plans, he will urge Trump to keep American fighter jets and missiles on standby in Eastern Europe to respond forcefully if Russia violates the terms of the ceasefire that will be established.
This strategy has been developed amid concerns that the U.S. President may wash his hands of Ukraine and any ceasefire almost immediately after any agreement is reached.
Starmer is expected to argue that it is in the U.S. interest to remain involved in preventing a third Russian invasion after hostilities cease.
The Telegraph reports that under the Anglo-French plan, fewer than 30,000 troops led by Europeans will be stationed in Ukrainian cities, ports, and other critical infrastructure sites, such as nuclear power plants, away from current front lines.
Sources added that the operation will be supported by sufficient firepower to "monitor and repel attacks," to reopen Ukraine's airspace and enable commercial flights.
According to The Telegraph, naval patrol vessels will also be deployed to the Black Sea to monitor Russian threats to commercial shipping routes.
The publication adds that the plan outlined by Western officials is far from the 200,000 peacekeeping mission demanded by Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, as a potential price for signing a peace agreement.
However, given that Germany, Spain, and Italy oppose deploying a peacekeeping mission, European options for ensuring Ukraine's future appear limited.
Zelensky stated that there is progress on the military contingent issue17.02.25, 15:36 • 26909 views
Leaving the negotiations in Paris, Starmer stated that such an operation would require "U.S. support" to deter Russia from launching another attack.
This support may include American fighter jets stationed in Romania and Poland, ready to respond to any future Russian aggression.
A much larger multinational ground contingent could also be based on NATO's eastern borders, which could be deployed to protect European troops in Ukraine if necessary.
This strategy also aligns with the long-term policy of not involving NATO troops in direct confrontation with Russian forces in support of Ukraine.
2A European official told The Telegraph that NATO will also have to start discussions on Article 5 regarding mutual defense, which states that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all. Although it is not expected that this provision will apply to European troops deployed in Ukraine, some countries will insist that it remain in effect if Moscow decides to attack their territory through troop deployments," the publication reports.
Recall
Previously, Keir Starmer stated his readiness to deploy British troops in Ukraine to ensure peace agreements. The UK plans to play a leading role in ensuring Ukraine's security and is allocating £3 billion annually until 2030.
Macron and Starmer will visit Washington next week19.02.25, 20:24 • 29083 views