Europe Quietly Plans Troop Deployment to Ukraine for Post-War Security/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A group of European countries, led by Britain and France, is quietly developing plans to send troops into Ukraine to enforce a future peace settlement with Russia. With U.S. priorities shifting, European leaders fear President Trump may broker a deal with Putin without their input. The proposed force, potentially 30,000-150,000 strong, would require air support and significant military capabilities to deter Russian aggression.
Europe Prepares Ukraine Security Force: Quick Looks
- European Strategy: Britain and France spearhead talks on sending troops to Ukraine
- Security Guarantees: Plan aims to protect Ukraine if NATO membership remains off the table
- U.S. Position: Trump’s stance on Ukraine uncertain; focus shifting away from Europe
- Military Force Size: Ukraine requests 100,000+ troops; reports suggest 30,000-40,000
- Not a UN Mission: Experts warn that a weak peacekeeping force would fail
- Macron’s Role: French president gains traction after early troop deployment proposal
- NATO’s Stance: U.S. insists any force must be non-NATO to avoid escalation with Russia
Europe Quietly Plans Troop Deployment to Ukraine for Post-War Security
European Leaders Explore Military Presence in Ukraine
Concerned that U.S. priorities under President Donald Trump may leave Europe vulnerable, a coalition of European countries has been secretly discussing sending troops to Ukraine to help secure the country once the war with Russia ends.
Britain and France are leading the discussions, though details remain scarce. European leaders fear that Trump may strike a deal with Putin without consulting them or Ukraine, potentially leaving Kyiv without long-term security guarantees.
Why Is This Plan Emerging Now?
Ukraine’s best security guarantee would be NATO membership, but the U.S. has ruled out that option under Trump’s leadership. Instead, European nations are looking for alternative ways to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautiously acknowledged the discussions, stating:
“I won’t get into the particular capabilities, but if there is peace, there needs to be some sort of security guarantee for Ukraine, and the U.K. will play its part in that.”
Trump’s Ukraine Stance Raises European Fears
Since Trump’s re-election, European leaders have grown concerned that he might bypass Europe and Ukraine in negotiating with Putin. In December, before Trump took office, leaders from Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to discuss post-war security measures.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously floated the idea of sending European troops to Ukraine, but his suggestion initially met resistance. However, as NATO’s role in Ukraine becomes uncertain, the idea is gaining traction.
What Would a European Military Force Look Like?
- Ukraine wants a force of at least 100,000-150,000 troops to ensure long-term security.
- Reports suggest a smaller 30,000-40,000 troop force is more realistic.
- Air support is a key requirement, as Ukraine does not just want troops on the ground but also defense systems to deter Russia.
- A UN-style peacekeeping force has been ruled out—experts argue that only a robust military presence can prevent further Russian aggression.
Former U.S. Army Europe commander Ben Hodges warned that any force must be strong enough to deter Russian attacks:
“It has to be a real force so that the Russians know that if they test it, they will get crushed. If they go in there with blue helmets and rifles, they will get crushed.”
Challenges to a European Deployment
Despite growing support, there are major obstacles to deploying European troops to Ukraine:
- Italy’s constitution restricts foreign military deployments.
- The Netherlands and Germany require parliamentary approval, and Germany’s position could shift depending on its upcoming elections.
- Poland remains cautious, given historical tensions with Ukraine dating back to World War II.
The U.S. Position: No Troops, But Possible Support
At a recent NATO meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined conditions for a potential non-NATO European military mission:
- The force must be primarily European with contributions from non-NATO countries.
- The U.S. will not deploy troops but could provide logistical and intelligence support.
- NATO members participating in the force would not receive NATO protection under Article 5.
Hegseth emphasized:
“Any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops. They should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission.”
From Ukraine’s perspective, U.S. involvement is essential. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha warned:
“Any security guarantees are impossible without the Americans.”
What’s Next for Ukraine’s Security?
With Trump unlikely to commit the U.S. to long-term military support, European leaders are under pressure to take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security. However, assembling a military force large enough to deter Russia remains a significant challenge.
Macron has urged a measured approach, stating that deploying 100,000+ troops is unrealistic. Instead, European leaders are working on a smaller, well-equipped force with air and missile defense capabilities.
Conclusion: A Shifting Security Landscape
As Trump’s administration reshapes U.S. foreign policy, Europe faces a crucial decision:
- Step up militarily to secure Ukraine, or
- Risk leaving Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression.
The coming months will be critical as European leaders negotiate their role in post-war Ukraine’s security while managing relations with both the U.S. and Russia.
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