French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed that the deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, as proposed by Britain and France as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia, is a decision for Kyiv alone. In an interview with French regional newspapers on Saturday, Macron dismissed Russia’s objections to NATO-aligned forces on Ukrainian soil, emphasizing Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“Ukraine is sovereign. If it asks for allied forces to be on its territory, it’s not something for Russia to accept or not,” Macron stated. His remarks come as diplomatic efforts intensify to bring an end to the prolonged conflict, with Western nations pushing for a durable ceasefire while Moscow remains resistant to foreign troop deployments.
Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been working to consolidate European military assistance for Ukraine amid concerns over the U.S. stance under President Donald Trump. Starmer hosted a virtual meeting on Saturday with Macron and other key allies of Ukraine, excluding the United States, to discuss options for bolstering Kyiv’s defenses and maintaining stability in any ceasefire scenario.
The proposal for peacekeeping troops has raised immediate tensions with Moscow. Russia has consistently rejected the idea of NATO-aligned soldiers on Ukrainian soil, viewing it as a direct provocation. Despite this, Macron stated that European and non-European nations had expressed interest in contributing forces, potentially amounting to “a few thousand troops per country” deployed at strategic locations.
While the proposal for peacekeepers is gaining traction among Ukraine’s allies, the specifics remain unclear. The scope, mandate, and rules of engagement for any such mission are yet to be defined. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb highlighted the fluidity of discussions, telling the BBC that commitments would depend on a concrete plan.
“There are anywhere from zero to 50 different ways they can help. Boots on the ground is only one way. You can talk about intelligence, you can talk about different types of things, but it’s too early to commit right now,” Stubb said.
Britain and France have both signaled willingness to send peacekeeping troops, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that his country was open to requests. The participation of non-European nations could add legitimacy to the operation and counter Russian accusations of Western military expansion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the idea of NATO-affiliated peacekeepers, arguing that their presence would be a direct threat to Russian forces. However, on Thursday, Putin signaled conditional support for a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal but insisted that Russian forces would continue fighting until certain key conditions were met.
Moscow’s conditions for a truce remain unclear, but analysts suggest they likely include recognition of Russian territorial gains, guarantees against NATO expansion, and limitations on Western military aid to Ukraine. So far, Ukraine has refused to accept any deal that compromises its territorial integrity.
Despite ongoing ceasefire discussions, both Russia and Ukraine continue to carry out aerial attacks against each other. Reports from officials early Sunday detailed fresh strikes, with injuries and damage inflicted on both sides. In Kyiv, air raid sirens rang out overnight as Ukrainian forces intercepted a wave of Russian drone and missile attacks. Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported Ukrainian drone strikes on military infrastructure in border regions.
These attacks underscore the volatility of the situation and the difficulty of implementing a sustainable ceasefire. Even if an agreement is reached, the challenge will be ensuring compliance from both sides, particularly amid deep mistrust and battlefield realities.
Deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine presents several risks. If NATO-affiliated troops come under fire, Western nations could be drawn further into the conflict, escalating tensions with Moscow. Additionally, any peacekeeping force would require a clear mandate—whether to serve as a buffer between Russian and Ukrainian troops, protect civilians, or oversee ceasefire compliance.
Experts warn that without explicit Russian buy-in, a peacekeeping mission could face immediate challenges. Russia may view foreign troops as hostile actors rather than neutral forces, potentially leading to clashes and undermining the mission’s credibility.
However, some analysts argue that a well-structured multinational force—potentially including non-NATO countries—could help stabilize post-conflict Ukraine and deter further Russian aggression.
As discussions continue, the focus remains on securing a temporary ceasefire and laying the groundwork for longer-term stability. Ukraine’s leadership must decide whether to formally request peacekeeping troops, while European leaders will need to negotiate the terms of their involvement.
With Putin signaling continued military operations and Western nations debating their level of commitment, the road to peace remains uncertain. The coming weeks will determine whether a truce can hold and if peacekeeping troops will become a reality—or if the war will continue with no end in sight.
