Europe weighs peacekeeping troops at Ukrainian front line
In Paris and London, there is increasing discussion about the idea of an international peacekeeping mission that would maintain the current front line in case of an agreement with Putin. According to former BBN Chief Gen. Stanisław Koziej, such a mission makes sense but should be under the auspices of an international organisation and with the consent of both Ukraine and Russia.
It should be noted that at the beginning of November, the American daily "The Wall Street Journal" first revealed what peace in Ukraine might look like according to Donald Trump. It would involve freezing the current front line and creating a wide demilitarised zone. However, Trump rules out direct U.S. involvement in providing security guarantees to Kyiv - either by sending American troops to Ukraine or by promising the country's accession to NATO.
Western support in Ukraine. Who can leave?
French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the European mission on 11th November with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. According to the French daily "Le Monde," the French and the British are primarily considering sending private companies with personnel who can assist in the handling and repair of Western military equipment. But that's not all.
The talks also covered the deployment of Western troops along the Ukrainian-Russian border, but only after a potential truce between Kyiv and Moscow.
"Western forces could protect Ukraine from the threat from Russia. Paris and London, as well as the Scandinavian countries and Poland, could play a leading role in this initiative, but not Germany - too weakened by internal political instability," reports "Le Monde."
According to Gen. Stanisław Koziej, former head of the National Security Bureau, it's generally an optimistic signal that European countries are seeking ways to take responsibility for Ukraine.
"It can be done"
- I think it stems from some uncertainty about what the United States and Donald Trump will do and the realisation that the Ukrainian issue is extremely important for European security - Gen. Stanisław Koziej, former head of the National Security Bureau, told us.
In his opinion, when it comes to a more specific context, one aspect of the Franco-British idea can be viewed with optimism. On the other hand, the second is more complex.
- The first positive aspect is sending private, various military companies to Ukraine to support the operation of equipment and weapons provided by the West. This aligns with the global increase in the role of non-state, private security companies, including in military matters. It is good that France and Great Britain are also seeking this instrument. It does not directly and politically involve these countries in the conflict in Ukraine, while also offering the possibility of support. It can be done - evaluates the former BBN chief.
He adds that the second aspect is sending troops directly to Ukraine.
A mandate from an international organisation is needed
- This would likely happen after the signing of a truce treaty definitively ending the war, which would be a decision to establish an international control zone and separation of the two sides. These are mechanisms practised worldwide, for example, in the Middle East, including the UN mission in Lebanon - recalls Koziej.
In his view, if such a decision were made, it would need to have the mandate of one of the international organisations: the UN, OSCE, NATO, or the European Union.
- Then it would make sense. On the other hand, I don't really see the possibility of sending troops to such a zone organised ad hoc, that is, a coalition assembled solely for this purpose without formal involvement of an international organisation - comments the interviewer.
"Fighting with Russia? It makes no sense"
- However, if we were to participate in a coalition of several countries, I would have many doubts. I would think hard about whether a frontline state should engage its potential in this type of initiative, which are uncertain and it's unknown what could result from them. Additionally, we must take into account another aspect of the problem. The establishment of such an international control zone and the participation of European troops would have to be accepted by both parties: Russia and Ukraine. Only then could such a mission have a peacekeeping character - argues Gen. Stanisław Koziej.
As he emphasises, Europe must be thinking about this and starting to mobilise.
- Now, fairly quickly, I would expect concrete decisions on this matter, not just talks and throwing out ideas. Every day of delay is bad for Europe. However, it must be strongly emphasised that the idea that Polish troops, together with French and British troops, would go to fight with the Russians makes no sense. Fighting would only be conceivable if all of NATO were involved. And that is not at all likely - concludes the former BBN chief.
