KYIV, Ukraine — On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed his openness to the possibility of Western troop deployment within Ukraine’s borders as a measure to enhance the nation’s security and contribute to efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing war with Russia, which has persisted for nearly three years.
Zelenskyy indicated that such a deployment could pave the way for Ukraine’s NATO membership. He stressed, however, that it is essential to establish a clear timeline regarding Ukraine’s accession to both the European Union and NATO. In his remarks made via Telegram, Zelenskyy pointed out the necessity for a structured approach in these discussions.
As international diplomatic efforts strive to find solutions to what has become Europe’s most significant conflict since the Second World War, Zelenskyy’s proposals reflect a careful balancing act. This comes in light of reported advances by Russian forces on the battlefield.
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in achieving a ceasefire and recently met with Zelenskyy in Paris. However, Zelenskyy noted that he would still address the topic of NATO membership with the outgoing President Joe Biden, as Trump has not yet assumed office and lacks the authority to make decisions regarding military alliances at this time.
Trump commented on Zelenskyy’s desire for peace, saying, “He wants to have a cease-fire… We didn’t talk about the details.” He also highlighted the significant losses that Russia is experiencing in the conflict and mentioned that he is devising a plan to terminate what he called the “ridiculous war.”
The questions surrounding Ukraine’s entry into NATO and the potential deployment of Western forces have sparked intense debate since Russia’s full-scale military invasion commenced on February 24, 2022. At their recent summit in Washington, NATO leaders acknowledged Ukraine’s commitment to membership but did not extend an official invitation, emphasizing existing concerns about Ukraine joining while engaged in active hostilities with Russia.
A core issue has been the requirement for clearly defined borders for Ukraine before joining NATO, eliminating ambiguity in the mutual defense obligations of the alliance. Currently, Russian forces occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
In February, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine, but this proposal raised risks of escalating tensions, which have already complicated decisions about military support and the type of weaponry provided.
Germany and Poland swiftly rejected the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine, and Macron chose not to specify which nations were contemplating troop contributions, opting to maintain a level of “strategic ambiguity” in discussions.
Ukrainian forces are engaged in ongoing battles against Russian troops, especially in the Donetsk region, where they face intense pressure. Zelenskyy reported on social media platform X that within just one week, Russia has conducted an extensive offensive, unleashing nearly 500 precision-guided bombs, over 400 drones, and almost 20 different types of missiles against Ukraine.
“Ukraine wants this war to end more than anyone else. No doubt, a diplomatic resolution would save lives. We do seek it,” Zelenskyy commented. He also conveyed his gratitude to President Biden for the latest U.S. military aid package, which amounts to nearly $1 billion.
As uncertainty persists about future U.S. military support under a potential Trump administration, the current Biden administration seeks to allocate the remaining funds from a substantial foreign aid bill to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities significantly.
Additionally, Friedrich Merz, a challenger to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the upcoming elections, affirmed a prevailing consensus in Germany regarding continued military support for Ukraine. However, during his visit to Kyiv, he pointed out differences in approach with Scholz’s government regarding the supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Scholz has resisted sending these missiles, prioritizing the need to avert a broader conflict between the West and Russia. Merz, in contrast, supports enabling Ukraine to strike military sites in Russia.
While meeting with Zelenskyy, Merz asserted that France, the U.K., and the U.S. hold positions that diverge from the current German stance, emphasizing, “We want to put your army in a position to reach military bases in Russia.” He criticized the restrictions placed on Ukraine’s military capabilities, suggesting they hinder the effectiveness of Ukraine’s defenses.
Merz’s party, the center-right Union bloc, is currently leading in German opinion polls, as the nation approaches the election set for February 23.
