Europe Weighs Sending Troops to Ukraine Without U.S. Support

Western allies are meeting without the United States to debate a daring European proposal to deploy 10000 to 30000 troops to Ukraine as a peacekeeping force if a deal with Russia holds. The plan aims to enforce any ceasefire brokered between Kyiv and Moscow filling a gap left by America’s wavering role in the conflict. With Putin’s war grinding into its third year this bold idea signals Europe’s bid to step up as a unified power amid doubts over Washington’s commitment.

The talks led by France and Germany come as Ukraine’s forces hold off Russian advances with Western arms but face mounting losses. Leaders argue a troop presence could deter Moscow from breaking a truce though details on command and funding remain hazy. Proponents see it as a way to shore up Ukraine’s sovereignty without relying on a U.S. tied up in domestic gridlock.

Russia’s rejection of a Trump-Zelensky ceasefire pitch last week looms large with Putin vowing to press on despite battlefield setbacks. European officials fear a power vacuum if the U.S. pulls back prompting this push to act independently for the first time in the war. Kremlin spokespeople have already blasted the idea as a provocation hinting at retaliatory strikes if troops deploy.

The proposal ranges from a light 10000-soldier force to monitor borders to a heftier 30000-strong contingent to patrol hotspots like Donbas. NATO members split on the risks with eastern states like Poland eager to counter Russia while others like Hungary balk at escalation. Kyiv welcomes the concept but insists any force must be robust enough to face down Moscow’s threats.

Europe’s move reflects frustration with America’s inward turn as Trump’s administration focuses on DOGE-led cuts over foreign aid. France’s Macron has long championed a stronger EU defense backbone and sees this as a test of that vision. Critics warn it could strain NATO unity or drag the bloc into direct conflict if Russia targets peacekeepers.

Logistical hurdles abound with no clear plan for who’d foot the bill or how troops would exit if fighting resumes. Germany hesitates over its historical aversion to boots on the ground while Britain pushes for a leaner advisory role instead. Ukraine’s Zelensky urges speed stressing that delays could embolden Putin to renege on any deal.

Publics across Europe grapple with the stakes as protests flare in Paris and Berlin over sending soldiers into a war zone. Advocates frame it as a moral stand to protect democracy against autocracy citing Russia’s civilian toll in Ukraine. Opponents fear a quagmire arguing Europe lacks the muscle to go it alone without U.S. firepower.

For now the troop idea hangs in limbo as allies hash out a path forward in closed-door summits this week. Ukraine’s fate and Europe’s resolve hinge on whether this gamble pays off or fractures Western cohesion further. With Russia watching every move the continent faces a defining moment in its post-American era.