EBN-In the wake of a ceasefire deal with Russia, Igor Zhovkva, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, stated that Kyiv requires a “serious” participation from combat-ready European forces rather than peacekeepers.
Zhovkva added that Ukraine expects a sizable European presence on its territory, as well as forces prepared to counter a variety of possible threats, including missile or drone attacks.
The speaker emphasized that Kyiv doesn’t require European forces to fight Russia, stating that Ukrainian authorities recognize that international forces won’t be present on the contact line and will rely on its own armed forces.
“We don’t need just a presence to demonstrate Europe’s presence,” Zhovkva added, according to the Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Post. “We don’t need peacekeepers, blue helmets, and unarmed people.”
asserting that the Ukrainian authorities realize that there will be no international forces on the contact line and that Kyiv will have to “rely first and foremost” on its own armed forces.
Zhovkva also stated that Ukraine anticipates a significant European presence on its soil, along with forces ready for a range of potential threats, such as drone or missile strikes.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has expressed expectations for a robust presence from Europe in Ukraine and soldiers ready for various scenarios, including missile or drone attacks. He emphasized that Ukraine needs more than just 5,000 or 10,000 European troops post-war, but also their readiness to fight, defend, be equipped, and understand that Ukraine is an inevitable part of European security.
He suggested European forces could help secure Ukraine’s border with Belarus, freeing Ukrainian troops to deploy to more dangerous regions.
More than 20 countries, including Britain, Canada, Norway, and Turkey, have been invited to participate in Thursday’s talks. Macron is set to receive Zelensky at the Elysee Palace for bilateral talks ahead of the summit.
The negotiator emphasized the importance of Ukrainian soldiers being ready for combat and suggested European forces could help secure Ukraine’s border with Belarus. He suggested that international presence in Lviv is unnecessary.
