Europe may deploy up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine

The Washington Post reports this, citing sources.

According to four sources of the outlet, the estimated size of the potential military contingent was revealed in response to a U.S. letter in which Washington asked EU countries to detail their capabilities for supporting Kyiv.

The article states that European states are currently prepared to provide several brigades for possible deployment in Ukraine — approximately 25,000 to 30,000 troops.

Sources emphasize that these forces will not be stationed on the front line; instead, they will be ready to demonstrate strength if Russia attacks again. At the same time, European soldiers may have additional reinforcements outside Ukraine “in case they need to rapidly scale up and advance.”

The Washington Post notes that France has conducted the most detailed military planning on this issue and could send nearly 10,000 troops.

“While other European allies have been more hesitant or faced limitations in military force deployment,” the outlet adds, citing two officials.

Peacekeeping forces in Ukraine: background

At the end of January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that at least 200,000 peacekeepers would be needed to ensure Ukraine’s security after the cessation of hostilities. Later, he clarified that U.S. troops should be included in the peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

On February 11, the New York Times reported that Europe does not have 200,000 peacekeepers available to send to Ukraine — this number is nearly three times the size of the entire British army. On the same day, Zelenskyy stated that the mission could operate if 100,000–150,000 European troops were deployed.

According to the Associated Press, a group of European countries is secretly developing a plan to send troops to Ukraine. Previously, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that international partners were already working on the idea of a peacekeeping mission.

On February 17, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he was ready to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.

On the same day, Sweden's Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, announced that the country does not rule out sending troops to Ukraine as part of a post-war peacekeeping mission.

In contrast, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Warsaw does not plan to send its soldiers to Ukraine, but will support other countries that wish to do so.

On February 17, the German Ministry of Defense assured that Berlin "will not shy away" from sending its troops to Ukraine after the war ends, if such a decision is agreed upon.