EU countries want to use NATO structure to deploy peacekeeping forces in Ukraine

According to one of the proposals discussed at meetings of the so-called “coalition of the willing” under the auspices of France and Britain, NATO command and control structures “will be used in the deployment of a reassurance force in Ukraine”. Under this initiative, the peacekeepers “will also take advantage of the alliance’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sharing capabilities”.

Involving NATO in the operation is seen by advocates of a peacekeeping force as “a way to indirectly involve the US in the effort and secure Washington's tacit support”, the FT said.

The source noted that “discussions by the Paris- and London-led coalition involving leaders and ministers from about 30 countries have repeatedly stressed that some form of “tacit support” from the US is crucial to any deployment of forces.”

On March 27, a summit of the “coalition of the willing” took place in Paris, where representatives of about 30 countries discussed potential security measures for Kiev after the end of the conflict in Ukraine.

One of the main topics is the possibility of deploying a military force on the territory of Ukraine.

Notably, the US did not participate in this summit. However, sources indicate that some countries are willing to participate in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, provided they have support from Washington.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on March 12 that the presence of NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine, regardless of their flag or forces, poses a threat to Russia. He stressed that Moscow will not accept this in any form.