EU Troops in Ukraine? Major Military Shift Under Consideration by France and Poland

European nations, led by France and the UK, are contemplating deploying European forces to Ukraine. This initiative aims to maintain stability in demilitarized zones along the front lines, aligning with emerging ceasefire proposals from the U.S. and Europe. While the move could serve as a deterrent against Russian aggression, significant challenges remain for its implementation.

According to Nikkei, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking at a joint press conference with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, emphasized their commitment to collaborating on strategies to safeguard Europe and Ukraine from renewed conflict.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine. Political news outlet Politico reported that France and Poland are considering sending a 40,000-strong peacekeeping force to Ukraine.

The proposed deployment of European troops is key in ceasefire plans emerging from the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine. The strategy involves postponing Ukraine’s NATO membership while sending European forces to guard the ceasefire line to prevent further hostilities.

This approach could appeal to President-elect Donald Trump, who has been skeptical of overseas military engagements. It offers a way to maintain a ceasefire without U.S. troop involvement. It also benefits Russia, a staunch opponent of NATO expansion, by delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership.

The involvement of nuclear-armed France and other nations could provide a credible deterrent against Russia, making the proposal more palatable to Ukraine. This scenario could be framed as a diplomatic solution where Russia and Ukraine can claim some measure of success.

The deployment of European troops was previously discussed during a trilateral meeting on December 7 involving President-elect Trump, President Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On December 9, Zelenskyy revealed that Macron had proposed stationing troops in Ukraine to enhance security.

However, significant obstacles remain before the deployment plan can be realized.

Public opposition to an open-ended military commitment could grow in participating countries. Far-right groups opposing aid to Ukraine are already gaining traction across Europe.

Securing the approximately 1,000-kilometer front line in eastern and southern Ukraine would require substantial manpower. Austrian Army Colonel Markus Reisner estimates that effective peacekeeping operations, beyond mere monitoring, would necessitate around 150,000 troops and heavy equipment such as tanks.

Military analysts question whether even the combined forces of the Baltic states, Nordic countries, the UK, and France—all generally supportive of the deployment—can muster sufficient troops, given the personnel shortages plaguing European militaries. There are also concerns that casualties among European peacekeepers could trigger public demands for retaliation, potentially escalating into a broader conflict between Russia and Europe. These considerations have led Germany to adopt a cautious stance on troop deployment to Ukraine.