The leaders of nearly 30 countries and the heads of NATO and the EU met in the capital of France to take part in a summit of countries willing to support Ukraine, among others, in the peace process.
In the conclusions of the summit, president Macro said, that there is presently no unanimity on the global forces proposed by France and the United Kingdom to be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a possible truce. “We do not request unanimity to accomplish this,” he said at the same time.
Macron said that France and the UK, which are leading the initiative, will search to make a "support force" with respective countries.
France had previously proposed to deploy abroad forces in Ukraine distant from the front line. UK representatives estimated the number of these possible forces to be 10-30 1000 soldiers.
The large absentee at the summit was the United States. U.S. president Donald Trump's administration showed no public enthusiasm for the coalition's discussion on the possible sending troops to Ukraine after a possible ceasefire.
A spokesperson for the Russian MFA Maria Zacharova accused for this before the summit of France and Britain of making plans for a "military intervention in Ukraine" under the cover of a peace mission, adding that specified an intervention could lead to a direct military clash between Russia and NATO.
Who would be willing?
There are many question marks related to what states would choose to send their soldiers to Ukraine. The driving force of current efforts is British-French duo. Both countries are willing to engage militarily with our neighbour.
What about the others? In the Past Netherlands and Sweden besides expressed readiness to participate in the deployment of troops.
Prime Minister Denmark Mette Frederiksen besides said she was open to this thought in principle, but many details request to be clarified in advance.
Michał Czernek / PAPAuthorities Finland said that to the initiative. “We are definitely part of the willing coalition and we are looking at a package of capabilities that we request to present to aid Ukraine safe itself,” said Finnish diplomat Elina Valtonen in mid-March.
Canada, which does not lie in Europe but is simply a NATO member, seems to be another possible associate in the "voluntary coalition". erstwhile Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asked about the possible deployment of troops as part of the peacekeeping forces, said: “Canada looked at the ways in which she can best help, and as I said a fewer days ago, everything is on the table.”
TurkeyWho has the second largest army in NATO is unknown. The media, quoting anonymous sources, state that presently discussions on Turkish engagement are conceptual and that no concrete decisions have yet been taken.
Who won't participate?
As for Poland's participation, now Prime Minister Donald Tusk made a clear declaration in February. — The subject is settled: we will proceed to support Ukraine as it has been so far: organizationally, according to our capabilities financially, humanitarianly and in terms of military aid,” assured Donald Tusk. However, he added that Poland would not send troops to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Italy Giorgia Meloni reserved in a conversation with the media that her country would not send Italian soldiers to Ukraine. Meloni besides questioned the effectiveness of France and the United Kingdom's proposals.
Prime Minister Slovakia In turn, Robert Fico felt that the military issue was a substance in which the EU should not interfere. He added that he saw the issue as a substance for the United Nations.
The crucial question is what will they do Germany. The outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously ruled out sending German soldiers to Ukraine as peacekeepers. It is likely that Friedrich Merz, who will replace him as Chancellor after the creation of a fresh government, will divide his predecessor's position.
Hungary, which keep close relations with Russia, have rejected military aid for Ukraine since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion and have complicated support for Ukraine within the EU. So it does not seem that they would be willing to send their soldiers to Ukraine.
