Brussels, Aug 14 (AP) President Donald Trump's approval for U.S. support of a European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine significantly increases the chances of success for any future peace agreement in the region. The announcement comes before Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
The operation, planned by a coalition of around 30 countries supporting Ukraine, relies heavily on U.S. backing, specifically in terms of airpower and military equipment that European nations either lack or have in limited supply. European leaders have consistently emphasized that American involvement is "crucial" for the success of the Multinational Force Ukraine, though the Trump administration had previously been hesitant to commit, possibly using U.S. participation as leverage in negotiations with Russia.
After a meeting with European leaders last Wednesday, European Council President Antonio Costa lauded the U.S. "readiness" to assist Europe in reinforcing security conditions once a durable and just peace for Ukraine is achieved. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that while Trump insisted NATO should not be part of the security guarantees, he agreed "the United States and all the (other) parties involved should take part." Macron highlighted this as a "very important clarification."
Though Trump did not publicly commit to U.S. involvement, and specific details of American support were not disclosed, U.S. Vice President JD Vance participated in the coalition meeting, marking a notable first.
The Multinational Force Ukraine
Over 200 military planners have been devising strategies for ensuring peace should the war, now in its fourth year, finally come to an end. Ukrainian armed forces have also participated in the planning alongside British reconnaissance efforts in Ukraine.
While the precise size of the force remains unspecified, Britain has indicated it could range from 10,000 to 30,000 troops. The force must be robust enough to deter Russian forces but feasible for European nations that downsized their militaries after the Cold War and are now rearming.
According to UK Defence Secretary John Healey, the mission of this "reassurance" force is to bolster Ukraine’s defenses on land, sea, and air, as Ukraine's armed forces are deemed the best deterrent against future Russian aggression. Healey stated the force would bolster aerial security and enhance naval capabilities in the Black Sea with additional specialist teams. This naval task force, initiated by Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkiye a year ago, handles mines in Black Sea waters.
Initially, the force will be headquartered in Paris, moving to London next year. A coordination office in Kyiv will become operational once hostilities cease and deployment begins.
The Impact of U.S. Participation
Europe's efforts to establish this force serve as a litmus test for the continent's readiness to defend its interests, especially in light of Trump's administration urging Europe to manage its own security, including that of Ukraine, in the future. Nevertheless, American forces provide a deterrent effect that Europe alone cannot achieve.
While specifics of potential U.S. contributions remain undefined, Trump's history of changing his stance leads to uncertainty about whether this commitment will suffice to inspire more countries within the coalition to offer troops.
Notably, Greece has declined participation, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis describing the discussions as "somewhat divisive" and possibly detracting from efforts to expedite an end to the conflict. Italy, on the other hand, has expressed a preference for collaboration with the U.S., with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advocating for an American presence in force coordination meetings despite Rome's decision not to contribute troops. (AP)
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