French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to deploy “reassurance forces” from several European countries to Ukraine, contingent on a peace treaty with Russia. These forces would be stationed in strategic locations, not on the frontlines, to deter potential Russian aggression. The move aims to provide Ukraine with long-term security after a peace agreement, with Macron emphasizing that these forces would complement NATO’s existing efforts on Europe’s eastern flank.
While the plan seeks to bolster Ukraine’s security, it has faced resistance. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish leader Donald Tusk have publicly opposed sending troops to Ukraine. Macron, however, insisted that European allies could proceed without full unanimity, noting that the specifics of the deployment would be developed by military chiefs in the coming weeks.
In addition to the reassurance force, Macron announced the creation of a Franco-British team that will travel to Ukraine to assess the military needs of Kyiv for future defense, including the type of equipment necessary to deter further Russian attacks.
Macron also reiterated his stance against lifting sanctions on Russia, aligning with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for continued pressure on Moscow. Despite U.S. moves to ease certain sanctions, including those on agricultural trade, Macron and Zelenskyy warned that easing sanctions would be premature, given ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The announcement follows heightened diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire. While U.S.-brokered agreements on shipping and energy infrastructure have been made, clashes continue, underscoring the uncertainty around a lasting peace.
