He president of UkraineVolodymyr ZelenskyOn December 9, he showed himself willing to consider the proposal of his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macronto deploy a foreign peacekeeping force before full accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The president of the country invaded by Moscow conditioned this step in exchange for a “clear understanding” about when kyiv will enter the political-military alliance.
Ukraine could host Western troops in some parts of the country, in exchange for a clear plan on when it will enter, both in the NATOas in the European Union. This was emphasized by the president of the country invaded by RussiaVolodymyr Zelenskythis Monday, December 9.
This is a proposal from president French, Emmanuel Macronformulated last February. At the time, it was received coldly by kyiv’s European allies, who maintain their fears that such a step would lead to an escalation of the conflict. Germany and Poland then stressed that they would not send troops to Ukrainian territory.
The new statements of Zelensky occurred during a meeting with the candidate for chancellor in GermanyFriedrich Merz, and represent a sign of openness towards diplomatic efforts, after his meeting on Saturday, December 7 with Macron and the president elected of the United States, donald trump.
Although Zelensky takes up the proposal of president French, conditions it to have greater details about a schedule of accession to the transatlantic alliance, led by the United States.
“If there is a pause while Ukraine is not in the NATOand even if we had the invitation, but we were not yet inside, then who guarantees us some kind of security?” questioned the Ukrainian head of state.
Zelensky revealed that he hopes to communicate soon with the president Joe Bidento have more clarity on the prospect of an invitation to join the Atlantic alliance. “He is the current president and a lot depends on your opinion. And there’s no point in arguing with him. president Trump something that does not correspond to him today, while he is not yet in the White House,” he added.
The European position on the proposal Macron has been changing in recent months. United Kingdom has joined France’s willingness to consider a deployment of peacekeepers, and now France’s foreign minister GermanyAnnalena Baerbock points out that she does not rule out the possibility either.
However, Berlin and Washington continue to refuse to approve the accession of Ukraine to the NATOwhile still at war with Russiawhich controls a fifth of the territory of the neighboring country. The invasion prevents the demarcation of clear borders that determine the territory in which a mutual defense pact would come into force.
The leader of the German opposition Merz, the main favorite to become the next chancellor, supported the statements of Zelensky that “a Ukraine strong before any diplomacy means a Ukraine strong on the battlefield.”
Merz, of the Christian Democratic Party, reiterated his willingness to authorize the use of the German-made Taurus long-range missiles that the current chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has refused to put at kyiv’s command. The candidate to replace Scholz also compared Europe’s current defense policy towards Ukraine with a rival who is forced to fight with one arm tied behind his back.
But while in Europe the positions regarding aid to kyiv could become more flexible, the United States is preparing for a change in policy with greater reluctance to aid the attacked country, in view of the return to the White House of donald trumpwho has shown affinity to president Russian, Vladimir Putin.
Given this panorama, the outgoing US president, Joe Bidenaccelerates the execution of the gigantic foreign aid bill, approved in early 2024, to strengthen the position of Ukraine.
Ukraine is beginning to suffer from the same personnel crisis available for war that has affected its rival Russiabut has preferred to Resort to extreme measures to force evaders to come to the front, rather than accept the American proposal to reduce the enlistment age from 25 to 18 years.
Raids on bars and restaurants have so far served to strengthen ranks affected by desertions, and kyiv has urged the West to provide more efficient and advanced military equipment, as it is not willing to compensate for the lack of resources with the youth of its soldiers.
“This is not the First World War, but a modern technological war,” he said. Dmytro Lytvyncommunications advisor to the presidency of Ukraineto explain the refusal to lower the minimum recruitment age.
“You can’t expect Ukraine compensate for logistical delays or lack of decisiveness in support with the youth of our men on the front,” Lytvyn added.
