Ukraine “may consider” French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to deploy foreign peacekeepers on its territory but only after getting a clear understanding of the NATO membership timeline, President Volodymyr Zelensky said after meeting German opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Dec. 9.
The president also said he plans to call U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss a NATO membership invitation for Ukraine.
“I’m telling you frankly: We can work on Emmanuel’s (Macron) proposal. He proposed that troops of this or that country could be present on Ukrainian territory to guarantee security while Ukraine is not in NATO,” Zelensky said following talks with Merz in Kyiv.
According to recent media reports, the U.K. and France are considering the deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine following a possible ceasefire, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also not ruling out the possibility. Merz called Baerbock’s statement irresponsible, saying that ending the war is currently the most pressing matter.
European troops overseeing a peaceful post-war situation in the country were reportedly included in a peace plan of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s team.
“But first, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the EU and NATO,” Zelensky commented.
Ukrainian officials have stressed that NATO membership is the only path toward a just and lasting peace. While acknowledging that the country cannot become a full member amid the full-scale war, Kyiv asked the allies to at least extend an invitation now as a clear signal of support.
Source: The Kyiv Independent
