Britain and France remain undecided on the specifics of a potential military presence in Ukraine.
The Skinny on France and the UK's Potential Ukraine Deployment:
France and the UK haven't ironed out the specifics regarding a prospective Western troop deployment in Ukraine following a potential truce, emphasizing that the main responsibility for security lies with the Ukrainian military forces.
This revelation came during a joint press conference between French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Kyiv, as reported by a European Truth correspondent.
Their conversation following the "coalition of the determined" summit in Kyiv revealed that no agreement has been reached yet on the conditions, numbers, or locations of the Western contingent.
Macron shared, "The discussions among all partners, led by France and the UK, are still ongoing. I can't announce the outcome just yet. We're exploring options, and the decision will also depend on Russia's response. Once we have it, we'll work on the most effective proposal."
He further confirmed that the option of sending military forces, not just from France and the UK, but from several other countries to Ukraine is under consideration: "Deterrent forces, indeed, are an option. But everything depends on the talks between Ukraine and Russia."
Sunak added his thoughts on a contingent, stating, "In terms of a contingent on the sea, in the air, and on land, yes, there's some flexibility because there's no ceasefire yet."
Both leaders asserted that the Western contingent will not be the primary guarantor of security.
Macron explained, "Security guarantees will be constructed in several layers. The first line of defense will be the Ukrainian army itself. The second layer will be deterrence, the contingent."
Sunak mirrored his thoughts: "We need to bolster the Ukrainian army to make it an element of deterrence."
It's essential to note that the Western coalition aims to support any prospective peace agreement, but it faces opposition from Russia.
Meanwhile, the UK has provided substantial military support to Ukraine, including a £4.5 billion package this year, which surpasses any previous year's support. This aid includes drones, tanks, and air defense systems.
The UK, along with other countries, participates in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and has co-chaired meetings with France to fortify military support for Ukraine.
A peacekeeping force could prove vital for enforcing a future peace agreement. However, the lack of explicit security guarantees from major powers like the US complicates these efforts.
Insights:
The Coalition and Military Support:The coalition, led by France and the UK, aims to deploy troops as deterrence for any peace agreement. The UK has also provided substantial military support to Ukraine, including equipment like drones, tanks, and air defense systems.
Peace Settlement Efforts:The establishment of a peacekeeping force could be crucial in enforcing any future peace agreement. However, the lack of security guarantees from major powers like the US complicates these efforts.
Regional Security:The ongoing military support serves to enhance Ukraine's defensive capabilities, deterring Russian aggression, and maintains security within the country. Many countries, including the UK and France, coordinate their efforts to sustain support for Ukraine's security needs.
The Western coalition, led by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is considering deploying troops as a deterrent for any potential peace agreement in Ukraine. Macron and Sunak have clarified that the Western contingent will not be the primary guararantor of security, with the Ukrainian army taking the first line of defense.
The UK has already provided substantial military support to Ukraine, with a £4.5 billion package this year, which includes drones, tanks, and air defense systems. They participate in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and have co-chaired meetings with France to fortify military support for Ukraine.
Sunak also mentioned that there is flexibility in terms of a contingent on sea, air, and land, since no ceasefire has been confirmed yet. Despite these efforts, the lack of explicit security guarantees from major powers like the US complicates the establishment of a peacekeeping force for enforcing a future peace agreement.
