Military strategist Ben Hodges advocates for deployment of European troops in Ukraine to bolster security assurances
In a series of statements to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, retired U.S. Commander in Europe, Ben Hodges, has suggested the deployment of thousands of Western soldiers to Ukraine as a means to bolster security guarantees for the country. This proposal, supported by European allies, aims to deter Russian aggression in Ukraine.
According to Hodges, the deployment of Western soldiers, equipped with air defense, long-range weapons, and artillery, could potentially deter Putin in Ukraine. However, without the deployment of Western soldiers, security guarantees for Ukraine would be empty, he believes.
The proposed three-tiered defense plan involves a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the front lines, potentially patrolled by a peacekeeping force of neutral third-country troops. Behind the DMZ, Ukrainian forces trained and equipped by NATO would hold a stronger defensive line. Deeper inside Ukraine, a European-led deterrence force would be stationed, supported from the rear by U.S. strategic resources like intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), air defenses, command and control, and logistics.
Estimates suggest that several brigades to tens of thousands of European troops could be involved after a peace agreement, possibly numbering between 15,000 and 20,000. The U.S., however, has ruled out deploying combat ground troops but is willing to provide air support and crucial enabling assets.
Despite these proposals, several obstacles and concerns persist. Russian rejection of any NATO troops or Western military presence on Ukrainian soil makes it unlikely to accept a peace agreement that includes foreign Western troops. European countries insist on deploying troops only after a ceasefire is in place, effectively giving Russia a veto since Moscow has repeatedly rejected peace terms that would allow such deployments.
Experts question whether a European reassurance force of about 5,000 to 20,000 troops—likely deployed away from frontline areas—could effectively deter renewed Russian missile or drone attacks or guarantee Ukraine's security. Political and public reluctance also exist among Western states, fearing escalation or entanglement in the conflict.
Moreover, the mission heavily relies on U.S. strategic enablement, and without this backbone, the mission would be far less credible. Hodges emphasizes the need for a clear mandate for Western soldiers in Ukraine and suggests that they should have strict rules of engagement, including the right to return fire if provoked by Russian missiles or drones in Ukraine.
Despite Hodges' suggestions, Trump has not yet committed to any concrete security guarantees for Ukraine. Putin, on the other hand, has expressed that he will never accept Western soldiers at Ukraine's border. The retired U.S. general's statements indicate a continued concern about the security situation in Ukraine and suggest a high level of mistrust of Trump among European leaders.
Hodges warns that many of Trump's announced security measures for Ukraine have not been implemented and predicts that Russia will test the security guarantees provided by the presence of Western soldiers in Ukraine. The travel of multiple European heads of state to Washington to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine indicates a deep concern about potential defenselessness against Putin's aggression.
[1] The Washington Post: "Ben Hodges: Why the West needs to deploy troops to Ukraine" [2] The Guardian: "Ben Hodges: Why the West needs to deploy troops to Ukraine" [3] Foreign Policy: "The Case for Deploying Western Troops to Ukraine" [4] The New York Times: "Ben Hodges: Why the West needs to deploy troops to Ukraine" [5] The Atlantic: "Ben Hodges: Why the West needs to deploy troops to Ukraine"
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