Peacekeeping forces in Ukraine ruled out, no chance for UN mission – diplomat Bryza

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“I don't think it's time to even imagine that there will be peacekeepers on the ground on the front line between Russia and Ukraine because Russia, under Putin, will never accept that. As you were saying, Mr. Borkovskyi, Putin's objective is to occupy, control, or eliminate Ukraine as an independent sovereign country. That is his stated goal, and it is not about removing the so-called Nazi regime in Kyiv. So he is not going to agree to peacekeepers, and there is no chance for United Nations peacekeepers,” said Matthew Bryza.

Bryza stressed that it is crucial that European troops be on the ground and continuing to provide Ukraine with essential weapons. In the event of a ceasefire, Ukraine must maintain sufficient military resources to deter Russia from resuming hostilities. Russia must clearly understand that any renewed attack will be met with strong resistance, allowing Ukraine to defend itself, repel assaults, and inflict devastating losses on the aggressor.

“Furthermore, if Russia attacks again, it will be attacking European soldiers, which implies some level of connection to NATO, though not a direct one to NATO or the United States. I think that is the best we can hope for at this point. However, Putin is already saying he will not agree to any European troops on Ukrainian territory. So we are in a completely darkened room where it is impossible to foresee what is going to happen. Other than that, as I was saying before, Putin does not want to stop fighting. He knows he cannot. He has pledged that he is going to eliminate Ukraine as a sovereign country. And yes, as you were saying, he has demanded that the United States and other NATO allies pull their troops out of the so-called new NATO member states in Eastern Europe. I don't see any appetite for that whatsoever among the European members of NATO. They will never agree to it,” the diplomat commented.

Bryza added that while Donald Trump may seek to withdraw U.S. troops from their positions in Eastern Europe, it is unlikely that European allies will support such a move. As a result, tensions between the United States and its European partners could escalate — exactly the outcome Putin is hoping to achieve.

• On March 4, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his country is open to requests for participation in peacekeeping operations in Ukraine.
• On March 8, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine clarified that European countries are currently discussing only the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, not the specific numbers.
• On March 10, the Russian Embassy in Canberra warned that the deployment of Australian troops as part of a peacekeeping coalition in Ukraine would have “serious consequences.”
• Additionally, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed their readiness to send troops to Ukraine if necessary.
• On March 13, it was reported that Rheinmetall is prepared to supply its products in support of an international peacekeeping mission after the full-scale war in Ukraine ends.