Ukrainian Peacekeepers: Need for 200,000 Soldiers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently asserted that any peace agreement with Russia will require a substantial contingent of peacekeepers, estimating a minimum of 200,000 European troops to ensure its enforcement. His comments, made public on Wednesday, highlight the complexity of reaching a settlement in the ongoing conflict. As discussions continue, the potential return of former US President Donald Trump has sparked speculation about a possible cessation of hostilities, given his previous promises to end the war, although the specifics of such a plan remain unclear.
During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelensky underscored the critical need for a robust foreign peacekeeping presence to oversee any resolution to the conflict. He pointed out that Ukraine’s military is significantly outnumbered by Russian forces, necessitating a large international force to secure any peace agreement. “From all the Europeans? Two hundred thousand. It’s a minimum. Otherwise, it’s nothing,” he emphasized, indicating the urgency of the situation.
The Importance of Strong Peacekeeping Forces
Zelensky further elaborated on the inadequacies of previous peacekeeping efforts, referencing the monitoring mission led by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in eastern Ukraine. He noted that the mission fell short when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, merely maintaining offices without any effective deterrent capability. This experience reinforces Zelensky’s assertion that Ukraine needs a formidable armed presence to prevent further Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian president has consistently advocated for Ukraine’s involvement in any discussions regarding conflict resolution with international parties. He believes that only strong security guarantees can dissuade Russia from launching renewed attacks. Ukraine’s apprehension stems from a history of Moscow exploiting ceasefires to strengthen its military, a concern that has persisted since the peace agreements made in 2014 between Kremlin-backed separatists and Kyiv, which ultimately failed to prevent the invasion in 2022.
Calls for European Defense Cooperation
In a prior address at Davos, Zelensky called on European nations to establish a unified defense policy, urging them to be prepared to bolster their defense budgets. This call for increased military readiness comes amid skepticism regarding Trump’s commitment to NATO, the US-led security alliance, which has historically played a crucial role in European defense.
On Tuesday, Trump suggested that he would consider implementing new sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to engage in negotiations aimed at concluding the conflict in Ukraine. This stance adds another layer of complexity to the evolving geopolitical landscape as Ukraine continues to navigate its security challenges.
