26 countries secure Ukraine: Peacekeepers in sight after the war!

26 countries secure Ukraine: Peacekeepers in sight after the war!

There are new developments in the tense geopolitical situation in Ukraine: 35 heads of state and government from the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” recently met in Paris, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The aim of this meeting was to discuss plans to ensure peace in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries are ready to send troops to support a ceasefire or even peace in Ukraine. Specific details about the presence of the troops have not yet been finally clarified, but the aim is to strengthen Ukraine after the war and create a stable environment. The countries have committed to either stationing troops directly in Ukraine or maintaining a presence at sea and in the air. However, the deployment of these forces should not take place on the front line during an active conflict, but should take place as part of a ceasefire to counter new aggression. Tagesspiegel reports that political and legal work to implement security guarantees has also begun.

There wasn't a bit of a summer lockdown feeling at the summit, but there was still a lot of discussion. Ukraine's Western supporters agree that security in the region is crucial. During the deliberations it became clear that it was intended to send a strategic signal to Russia. The armed forces here are not intended to fight a new war, but rather to ensure a peaceful future for Ukraine. However, there are still some uncertainties: military expert Markus Reisner has expressed concerns about the UN mandate for future peacekeepers, and questions about the safety of soldiers were also discussed. [ZDF]. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized that the first priority is to finance, arm and train the Ukrainian armed forces.

Progress and challenges

During the negotiations about security guarantees for Ukraine, it became clear that Germany was considering deployments, but not without further discussions. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is skeptical as to whether sending German soldiers would make sense. According to him, the details and implications of such a move need to be thoroughly negotiated. At the same time, SPD foreign politician Adis Ahmetović said that reliable security, especially from the USA, was necessary. One should also consider to what extent ground troops would be necessary to ensure peace, as CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter demanded. Tagesschau reports that the Ukrainian ambassador Oleksii Makeiev also emphasizes that military presence is essential for enforcing security guarantees.

The situation remains exciting and promising at the same time. If a summit between Vladimir Putin and Zelensky were to lead to an agreement, as Merz suggested, the tide could turn faster than you think. The international community is watching the emerging developments in Ukraine with great interest and hopes for a peaceful solution to the conflict.