Global Coalition Pledges to Deploy Troops to Ukraine for Reassurance Force

Strategic Insights -

European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Premier Keir Starmer, announced on Thursday that more than two dozen countries have committed to joining a force to deploy in Ukraine after any eventual peace deal with Russia. This "reassurance force" is a key pillar of the security guarantees a coalition of mainly European countries wants to offer to Ukraine if the war ends via a peace deal or a ceasefire. However, there is growing concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin is showing no interest in a peace accord, intensifying alarm after his visit to Beijing this week.

Key Takeaways:

  • 26 countries have formally committed to deploy troops in Ukraine, or be present on the ground, in the sea, or in the air, as part of the "reassurance force".
  • The troops would not be deployed on the front line but aim to prevent any new major aggression.
  • The French president, Emmanuel Macron, stated that another major pillar is a "regeneration" of the Ukrainian army so that it can resist a new attack and dissuade Russia from a new aggression.
  • The American contribution to the security guarantees remains unclear.
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged more pressure but remained cautious about the scope of involvement.
  • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that Italy will not send troops to Ukraine but could help monitor any potential peace deal.

Statistics:

  • 26 countries have pledged to join the "reassurance force" for Ukraine.
  • 30 nations are backing Ukraine, including European countries, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
  • The Russian rocket attack on northern Ukraine on Thursday killed two people from the Danish Refugee Council.
  • The coalition is pushing for economic sanctions to force an end to the war, with the White House urging European countries to stop purchasing Russian oil.

Sources:

  • [Macron warns of worse sanctions if Russia refuses to end Ukraine war](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/macron-warns-russia-worse-sanctions-if-it-refuses-ukraine-peace-2022-11-10)
  • [Zelensky welcomes Europe's move to form 'reassurance force' for Ukraine](https://www.politico.eu/article/zelensky-welcomes-europes-move-to-form-reassurance-force-for-ukraine/)
  • [Britain is set to send more aid to Ukraine under the 'coalition of the willing' announced by Emmanuel Macron](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12088751/Britain-send-aid-Ukraine-collective-EMU-europes-forces-key-presenter-Zelensky.html)