EU faces financial shortage, unable to fund a fourth of the troops requested by Kiev.
Rewritten Article:
Europe Struggles to Field 25,000 Troops for Ukraine Peacekeeping Mission
Gathering even 25,000 troops for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine proves a daunting task for Europe, given the understaffed and underfunded armies across the continent, according to reports by The Times.
Behind closed doors, defense leaders from various European countries have discussed the idea of a joint mission. The UK's Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, proposed a united 64,000-strong force for deployment, with the UK willing to contribute up to 10,000 troops. However, according to insider sources, other nations struggle to reach the 25,000-troop target, much less the proposed 64,000.
The Times unveiled the details of these discussions during negotiations, revealing the skepticism and challenges faced when contemplating such a mission. European allies have voiced concern over weakening their own defensive capabilities by contributing large numbers of troops to Ukraine.
The Telegraph sheds light on another part of the equation: Kyiv's request for security assurances as part of peace agreement negotiations. Initially, Ukraine sought the deployment of 200,000 Western peacekeepers, later revising that demand to 100,000. Now, a "coalition of the willing" consisting of approximately 30 countries, with the UK and France taking a leading role, is contemplating troop deployment as a means to promote peaceful resolution.
But concerns about sending large numbers of soldiers linger, especially in the UK, due to high risks. The Times reported that plans could include air and sea protection for Ukraine, strengthening its army, and providing instructors in western Ukraine. A strategy to safeguard key cities and objects with Western troops in Europe seems unlikely.
Meanwhile, Russia opposes the deployment of NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine, viewing it as a potential threat. European politicians are drafting maps of deployment zones, but direct involvement in armed conflict with Russia may have disastrous consequences for Europe, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In light of these challenges, alternative tactics, such as sending instructors and training units, may be more feasible for many European countries, addressing the manpower shortage while still contributing to peacekeeping efforts.
References:
- The Times - Source citing initial report on European troop target for Ukraine peacekeeping mission
- The Telegraph - Source sharing context about Ukrainian security demands and international discussions
- RIA Novosti - Source telling of Russian opposition to NATO presence in Ukraine
- Enrichment Data - Source providing insight into the complexities facing European countries when assembling troops for Ukraine, including personnel shortage, budget constraints, logistical hurdles, and alternative approaches.
- The understaffed armies across Europe pose a challenge in fielding the needed 25,000 troops for the Ukrainian peacekeeping mission, as reported by The Times.
- Politics and war-and-conflicts news outlets, such as The Times, have recently cited concerns about sending large numbers of Ukrainian peacekeepers, as this could weaken their own defensive capabilities in various European countries.
- Closed-door discussions among defense leaders from European countries reveal a skepticism and numerous challenges in contemplating a Ukrainian peacekeeping mission, with other nations struggling to meet even the 25,000-troop target, as per insider sources.
- With the UK willing to contribute up to 10,000 troops, and French involvement in the peacekeeping mission being considered, general news sources like The Telegraph report that alternative tactics, like sending trainers and support units, may offer a chance for understaffed European countries to still contribute to the peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
