France proposes an international force for a potential ceasefire
The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, announced the potential deployment of international forces in Ukraine should a ceasefire occur, referring to them as "reassurance forces." Russia has already voiced strong opposition. "There's a long way to go before sending troops. It's more about demonstrating Europe's determination, a trial balloon," says retired Colonel Maciej Matysiak.
A summit was held Thursday in Paris with leaders from around 30 countries supporting Ukraine, referred to as the "coalition of the willing." They discussed possible solutions to end the conflict. Following the meeting, the French president announced that a French-British mission will soon head to Ukraine. Its task is to prepare the future format for the Ukrainian army in anticipation of a potential deployment of international forces once a ceasefire is reached between Kyiv and Moscow.
The goal is to identify "strategic locations" where Western military forces could be positioned. However, Macron emphasized that these forces will neither be "peacekeeping forces" nor "combat units on the front line."
"Macron releases a trial balloon"
The "reassurance forces" would cover sea, air, and land areas. As Macron announced, the countries' foreign ministers participating in the Paris meeting have three weeks to prepare a proposal for monitoring the ceasefire in Ukraine. The French president acknowledged at the same time that there is no unanimity on this matter yet.
According to retired Colonel Maciej Matysiak, former deputy head of the Military Counterintelligence Service and an expert at the Stratpoints foundation, such declarations allow Europe, especially the French president, to build their political narrative.
- The USA is talking with Russia and Ukraine, and Europe is being sidelined in these discussions. Macron releases a trial balloon in the form of a declaration of sending "reassurance forces," testing the waters. - says retired Colonel Matysiak.
And as he adds, we don't actually know which soldiers, if any, will be in Ukraine.
However, operational planning is underway to ensure the effort goes beyond mere declarations. Macron has indicated that troops would be deployed only after peace is secured. Currently, though, there are no concrete agreements between Kyiv and Moscow. The expert points out that both sides have yet to negotiate formally.
France and the UK at the negotiating table
Following the conclusion of the Paris summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that there is no alternative to Europe's participation in peace talks about Ukraine.
During a press conference in Paris, he emphasized that Ukraine’s position is firm: Europe must be involved in any negotiations regarding the war's conclusion. He added that no other options are being considered.
Zelensky emphasized Europe's importance and the need for clear representation in the discussions. He noted that all European partners had agreed to have France and the United Kingdom act on their behalf.
The Kremlin is clearly opposed
Meanwhile, the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, stated that deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine would create a pretext for initiating hostilities between Russia and NATO.
- Russia is categorically opposed to such a scenario, which threatens a direct clash between Russia and NATO - argued Zakharova.
A respondent criticizes Russian propaganda claims.
