The deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, proposed by the UK and France as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia, is a matter for Kyiv to decide, not Moscow, Emmanuel Macron stated in an interview with French media. «Ukraine is sovereign. If it requests allied troops to be on its territory, it is not Russia's business to agree or not», noted the President of France.
Macron also stated that any peacekeeping forces would consist of «several thousand troops from each country», to be stationed at key points, adding that a number of European and other countries are interested in participating.
On Saturday, a virtual summit of the «coalition of the willing» took place, where British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined a plan to deploy 10,000 peacekeepers in Ukraine. According to sources from The Times, the final number of foreign troops for Ukraine «will exceed 10,000 people», with other coalition countries contributing in other ways.
Senior government sources reported that the UK has managed to secure the support of a «significantly larger number» of countries, although the main part of the forces will likely come from the UK and France.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb told BBC that any firm commitments will be made once a clear plan is in place.
As reported by The Times, about 35 countries at the meeting on Saturday agreed to provide weapons, logistical, and intelligence support for a potential peacekeeping mission.
Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of deploying soldiers from NATO alliance countries in Ukraine. Once again, Vladimir Putin voiced this position among the «nuances» that could hinder the conclusion of a 30-day truce.