European countries could form a deterrent force that would be deployed in Ukraine, with about 40,000 European peacekeepers likely to participate in the mission, but the number could increase to 100,000 under a rotation scheme.
Talks on deploying a peacekeeping force to Ukraine under the leadership of French President Emmanuel Macron are in their early stages, but there have already been disagreements over the mission’s goals and mandate. European leaders are currently focused on increasing military and economic aid to Ukraine and see no sign of Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
However, some European officials are considering sending troops to Ukraine to ensure its security. Such a move, however, would increase the risk of confrontation with Russia and “stretch” European troops, whose reserves have been depleted by aid to Ukraine.
US President-Elect Donald Trump has ruled out the participation of American soldiers in a peacekeeping mission, insisting that Europeans should act independently. So, several EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Britain) would be called upon to provide the bulk of any peacekeeping force.