War

Peacekeepers in Ukraine: it became known where the contingent may be deployed

The peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine will not be deployed along the front line. This opinion was expressed by MP Oleksandr Yurchenko, reports Komersant ukrainskyi.

According to the parliamentarian, peacekeepers can fulfill their tasks in Volyn, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions.

Peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine: what is known about it

As of March 4, 2025, the international community is actively discussing the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to stabilize the region amid ongoing conflicts. Several countries have expressed varying degrees of readiness to provide troops for such a mission.

Australia’s position

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that his government is open to considering the deployment of Australian troops to a multinational peacekeeping force in Ukraine. This openness comes after the recent suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which has sparked discussions about alternative support mechanisms. Albanese emphasized Australia’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and the international rule of law, noting that while no formal request has been made, any such offer would be carefully considered. Australia has already provided about $1.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine, mostly in the form of military aid.

The UK’s initiative

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed forming a “coalition of the willing” to deploy about 30,000 European peacekeepers to Ukraine. This initiative emphasizes the need for broad international involvement to ensure stability in the region. This proposal has sparked discussions among European countries about their potential participation and the logistics of such a deployment.

Ireland’s view

The historically neutral Ireland is considering the possibility of participating in a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Simon Harris has stated that the government is open to the possibility, which marks a significant shift in Ireland’s traditional position on military involvement. The possibility of relaxing the “triple lock” rule, which currently restricts military deployments without special authorization, is being discussed. This development underscores Ireland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and promoting regional stability.

Turkey’s position

Turkey, which has the second largest army in NATO, has expressed its readiness to provide its military contingent to participate in the peacekeeping force in Ukraine. This position is in line with Turkey’s strategic interests and its role in NATO, reflecting a broader commitment to regional security.

Opposition to Russia

The aggressor state strongly opposes the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that Moscow cannot consider any options involving European peacekeepers, arguing that such proposals could lead to an escalation of the conflict rather than its de-escalation. The Kremlin’s position is a significant obstacle to the implementation of any peacekeeping mission in the region.

To date, no official peacekeeping mission has been established in Ukraine. The situation remains unstable, and diplomatic efforts to assess the viability and potential composition of such a force are ongoing. The international community continues to discuss the best approaches to supporting Ukraine and ensuring stability in the region.

It should be noted that Ukraine itself has considerable experience in international peacekeeping operations. Since July 1992, Ukraine has been actively involved in UN missions.