European capitals are working on"fairly precise plans" for potential deployment troops in Ukraine as part of post-conflict security guarantees that will have full support from the United States. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview Financial Times, there is a"clear roadmap" for the possible deployment of troops.
The publication emphasized that Von der Leyen made this statement during a trip to the eastern EU countries bordering Russia.
"Security guarantees are extremely important and absolutely necessary. We have a clear roadmap. We have reached an agreement in the White House. And this work is progressing very well," von der Leyen said.
She said the capitals were working on plans for"multinational troop deployments and American support."
"President Trump assured us that the American presence would be part of the support. That was very clear and reiterated repeatedly," she said.
The European-led force could include tens of thousands of troops, with support from the US, including command and control systems and intelligence and surveillance assets, the Financial Times reported. The agreement was reached at a meeting between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders last month. The FT reported that those meeting with Trump in Washington plan to gather in Paris on Thursday for further high-level discussions. The meeting will include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen praised Trump's willingness to participate in peace efforts.
"Putin has not changed, he remains a predator. Trump wants peace, and Putin does not sit down at the negotiating table... He has a negative experience of communicating with Putin, who increasingly does not fulfill his promises. In recent months, we have had several meetings during which it became clear that the Europeans can be relied on. It is clear that when we say something, we do it," she said.
She also said the Commission would seek new sources of funding to ensure"sustainable financing of the Ukrainian armed forces as... a security guarantee." She noted that after any peace deal, Kyiv would need"quite a significant number of soldiers, and they need good salaries and, of course, modern equipment... this is something the EU will undoubtedly have to contribute."
Existing sources of funding for Ukraine from Brussels, including budget support, should remain in place in peacetime, von der Leyen said, implying that"the Ukrainian armed forces should receive additional payments."
The EU will also maintain funding for training Ukrainian soldiers after any peace deal is reached. It is encouraging member states to use the €150 billion fund for arms loans to strike joint production deals with Ukrainian defense companies or buy weapons that can be transferred to Kyiv.
Von der Leyen added that the heads of defense agencies of the coalition of the willing met last week and"developed quite precise plans," including a discussion of "the necessary elements for an effective troop buildup." She also added that due to the changing nature of military operations, it is necessary to maintain the EU's military investments in drones, air and missile defense, space and cyber capabilities.
Foreign troops in Ukraine – latest news
We remind you that according to media reports, the German government doubts arose on sending troops to Ukraine. Instead, the country is considering increasing its share in financing the Ukrainian military. According to journalists, discussions on sending troops have been postponed for now.
Military expert Oleksiy Melnyk is also skeptical about the possibility of the appearance Western contingent in Ukraine He stressed that the Europeans do not have enough peacekeepers to make their mission effective.
