Ukraine and its allies are discussing the deployment of up to 50,000 peacekeepers.

As reported by Politico and the FT, current talks are focused on forming a deterrent force pulled from five to six different European countries that would guard the line of contact in the event of a ceasefire in Ukraine. According to one European official, the British and French have already begun preliminary planning.

Ukrainian officials consider it feasible to deploy 40,000 to 50,000 foreign troops along a 1,000-kilometer front line. However, this idea may not be implemented due to both Russian resistance and European fears of an escalation of the conflict with Moscow.

President Zelenskyy is known to consider the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine to be one of the best tools for forcing Russia to make peace. However, he has stated that any such mission should include American troops. He has also said Ukraine would require at least 200,000 peacekeepers to prevent a future Russian invasion.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova threatened “uncontrolled escalation” if foreign troops were deployed in Ukraine to monitor compliance with a potential peace deal.