European Peacekeeping Proposal in Ukraine Faces Resistance

France and the UK have been pushing a bold new idea: deploying European forces to Ukraine to help secure a future peace deal with Russia. But so far, the proposal has received little support from their European allies.

Speaking after a March 27 summit of nearly 30 European leaders in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said that while Europe remains committed to supporting Ukraine, efforts to send a "peace guarantee" force to the country have failed to gain consensus.

“Only a few countries have expressed willingness to consider the proposal,” Macron said. “It’s not a surprise. We’ll move forward without full consensus.”

France and the UK floated the idea during the three-hour summit, hoping to rally broader European backing. But nations like Italy insisted they would only participate under a formal UN peacekeeping mission. Others, including Poland and Greece, rejected the concept entirely.

European diplomats say the lack of support reflects growing concerns about the practicality of the plan—especially as Ukraine struggles on the battlefield and the Trump administration in the U.S. pursues separate negotiations with Russia, sidelining European allies.

“There’s hesitation,” one European diplomat said. “When Ukraine was in a stronger position, the idea seemed more appealing. But given the current situation, and uncertainty about U.S. support, it’s a harder sell.”

Macron clarified that the proposed forces would not be deployed to the front lines or directly enforce a ceasefire. Instead, they would be stationed further back, to help deter future Russian aggression, train Ukrainian troops, and assist in long-term stabilization efforts.

French and British military delegations will soon travel to Ukraine to develop a detailed plan for such a mission. According to British estimates, a meaningful deterrent force would require 10,000–30,000 troops—no small task for European militaries that have downsized since the Cold War.

Another major obstacle is the uncertain stance of the United States. European officials admit they would likely need U.S. support—particularly intelligence, logistics, and airlift capabilities—to make the mission viable. Some say even basic ceasefire monitoring would depend on real-time U.S. satellite surveillance.

Macron acknowledged that Europe might have to act alone. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” he said. “I hope the U.S. will support this. But we must prepare for the possibility that they will not.”

Meanwhile, Russia has harshly criticized the idea. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko warned that any foreign troops—whether under EU, NATO, or national banners—would be viewed as direct participants in the conflict.

“Their presence in Ukraine would make them legitimate military targets,” he said.

European diplomats are also concerned about cost, troop commitments, and the potential for escalation. Some fear that such a mission—rather than helping end the war—could be viewed by both Moscow and Washington as an obstacle to peace.

So far, the U.S. has offered no endorsement. Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy on Russia, recently dismissed the idea as “based on the false premise that Russian forces are preparing to sweep across Europe.”

(Sources: WSJ, Newsweek, AP)

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