Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has stated that Europe is working out “pretty precise plans” for a multinational troop deployment to Ukraine as a part of the security guarantees post-conflict which are coordinated with the United States. While speaking to the Financial Times, von der Leyen cited that former President Donald Trump had told European leaders that “an American presence, as part of the backstop” and the importance of U.S. support in command, control, intelligence, and surveillance systems.
According to the report, tens of thousands of European-led troops could be involved in what might become the largest EU-led security mission since the Balkan wars. The initiative was agreed to in a high-level meeting last month with Trump, as well as with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and other senior European leaders. This idea, of deploying troops as part of long-term commitment to Ukraine, demonstrates the change in Europe’s posture towards security. Brussels is hoping to take more ownership of regional defense, while also integrating U.S. military assets.
Analysts say this would also help deter future Russian aggression, and lock in long-term commitments from the West towards Ukraine’s stability. There will be further discussions taking place in Paris on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron, where von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will attend. Diplomats believe the meeting will lend political cover to finalizing aspects of the deployment, managing the autonomy of Europe with NATO’s umbrella. If this plan proceeds, the deployment would establish Europe’s role in Ukraine’s post-war security structure, and demonstrate transatlantic coordination, even if there are differences over burden-sharing.
