Official announcements from the EU or European governments, or credible international news agencies

UK and France Discuss Sending Peacekeeping Forces to Ukraine Amid Escalation Concerns

Jan 16, 2025, 08:20 AM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are discussing the deployment of British and French troops to Ukraine as peacekeeping forces following any potential agreement to end the war. The idea, championed by Macron, has been discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. While details of the conversation between Starmer and Macron are being kept secret, UK government sources indicate that Starmer is cautious about the proposal due to security concerns and the potential for escalation. The discussions come as European leaders consider how to support Ukraine's sovereignty in light of the upcoming change in US policy with Donald Trump's inauguration, who has promised to push for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The deployment of peacekeeping forces is seen as a way to enforce peace terms and protect Ukraine from future aggression.