French President Emmanuel Macron plans to discuss the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine during his upcoming visit to Warsaw, where he will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This meeting is set against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to reports from Politico, which cites unnamed sources including a European Union diplomat and a French official, France and Poland are considering a 40,000-strong peacekeeping mission for Ukraine that would include troops from other nations. The EU diplomat confirmed the discussions, stating, 'This is true,' although he did not specify which countries might contribute troops.
However, a senior Polish official expressed surprise at Macron's proposal, indicating that it does not align with their expectations. He emphasized that decisions regarding a peacekeeping mission should be made within the frameworks of the United Nations or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, rather than through bilateral talks. Regarding the potential dispatch of Polish peacekeepers to Ukraine, he noted that such a move would only make sense in a NATO context.
Additionally, the Polish official raised concerns about the broader political situation, particularly the uncertainty surrounding the inauguration of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump. 'It is difficult to even discuss this topic until January 20,' he remarked.
Macron's current proposal for a peacekeeping contingent marks a shift from his earlier suggestion to send military instructors to Ukraine during the ongoing war. The Élysée Palace has stated that Macron's visit aims to address Ukraine-related issues 'in a new transatlantic context.'