U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to accept the presence of European forces in Ukraine as part of a possible peace agreement to end the war. This statement from Trump was made in the Oval Office of the White House alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
In the case of confirmation of this statement, it would be a change in the position of Moscow, which until now has considered the presence of European troops in Ukraine a 'red line' and aggression from the side of Europe. During a press briefing, Trump was asked whether Putin accepts European troops in Ukraine, to which he replied: 'He accepts'.
Trump then clarified that he discussed this issue with the Russian leader, and he expressed his agreement. 'I asked him openly, and he has no problem with it,' Trump emphasized. The United Kingdom and France are leading efforts to create 'European forces’ for the deterrence of possible future Russian attacks on the homeland, ports, and critical infrastructure in Ukraine in the case of reaching an agreement on peace, conducted under the mediation of the U.S., according to The Guardian.
According to Western officials, cited by this publication, within the framework of the proposals, it is planned to deploy more than 30,000 servicemen, mainly concentrated on operations in air-cosmic and maritime space. 'If we achieve this agreement on ceasefire, he (Putin) will not seek new wars. The presence of military forces will be minimal and will not spread closely to the frontline in eastern Ukraine, where Russia occupies territories.'
Macron himself stated last Thursday that he opened the door for sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine 'within the framework of an agreed plan,' after a peace settlement is reached in the country. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, who will meet with Trump on Thursday, also expressed support for studying this option, which has the backing of several Baltic states, such as Sweden.
