War

Europe is split: will the allies send troops to Ukraine?

In February 2025, European leaders faced serious disagreements over the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission. This is stated in the relevant material of Reuters, reports Komersant ukrainskyi.

These discussions intensified after the announcement by the administration of US President Donald Trump of its intention to hold talks with Russia to end the almost three-year conflict in Ukraine. The US decision to act without consulting its European allies caused concern and required the development of a common position among European countries.

The UK’s position

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his readiness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force after a peace agreement is reached. He emphasized that this is necessary to ensure national security and stability in Europe. Starmer also noted that Europe is facing a “generational challenge” in the security sphere and should increase defense spending.

Germany’s position

Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need for a strong and sovereign Europe. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the Ukrainian army and stated that Germany would not shy away from participating in a future peacekeeping mission if the appropriate framework is defined.

Poland’s position

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland will continue to provide organizational, financial, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine, but has no plans to send Polish soldiers to its territory. He emphasized the importance of close cooperation between Poland, Ukraine, the European Union and the United States.

Sweden’s position

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson noted that the participation of Swedish peacekeepers in post-war Ukraine is possible, but it requires a clear mandate and further progress in negotiations. He emphasized that Sweden usually participates in strengthening security in its region and is ready to consider such a contribution this time.

Spain’s position

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that it is premature to talk about the deployment of troops in Ukraine, as peace has not yet been achieved. He emphasized that aggression should not be rewarded and expressed doubts about the imminent arrival of peace.

Concerns about the US-Russia talks

The US decision to start negotiations with Russia without the participation of Ukraine and European allies has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He emphasized that Ukraine does not recognize the results of negotiations in which it does not participate, and that any agreements reached without Kyiv’s participation will not be valid.

European leaders also expressed concern about a possible agreement between the US and Russia that might not take into account the interests of Ukraine and Europe. In response, an emergency summit was convened in Paris with the participation of the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, as well as representatives of NATO and the European Union, to discuss a common strategy for Ukraine.

Challenges for European defense

The discussion of the possible deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine has revealed several key problems:

• The risk of a direct clash with Russia. The deployment of European troops in Ukraine could lead to a direct military confrontation with Russia, which raises serious concerns among European countries.
• Limited military resources. Many European armies are already under-resourced due to the continued supply of weapons to Ukraine and decades of relative peace. Increasing military commitments will require significant investment and reorganization.
• Financial constraints. The public finances of many European countries are under pressure, and increased defense spending may cause additional economic difficulties.

Thus, Europe faces a difficult choice in supporting Ukraine and ensuring its own security. Differences in the positions of member states, concerns about a possible deal between the United States and Russia without European participation, as well as internal economic and military constraints, pose serious obstacles to developing a unified