Ukraine calls for air and sea security in peacekeeping discussions

His statement echoes recent discussions about Western troops deployment in Ukraine.

With these ongoing discussions, Ukraine insists that any peacekeeping initiative must ensure comprehensive security, including air and maritime defense, not just ground forces.

“The debate over potential foreign deployments in Ukraine, as part of broader peace and security guarantees, has largely focused on ‘boots on the ground’," he wrote.

"But securing Ukraine's sky and sea is equally, if not more, important. Land, sky, and sea must all be in focus.”

Growing talks of troop deployments to Ukraine

The discussion over sending foreign forces to Ukraine resurfaced in November 2024 after Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election.

• On Feb. 11, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. would not deploy troops to Ukraine, adding that President Trump was "aiming for a swift peace agreement."
• On Feb. 13, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine might need 100,000 peacekeepers to ensure long-term stability. He also confirmed that the military had developed a detailed map outlining the areas requiring foreign military presence.
• On Feb. 14, Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine is open to any international peacekeeping mission.

European Leaders show willingness

Several European nations have signaled their readiness to send troops if a peace deal is reached.

On Feb. 16, The Telegraph reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his willingness to deploy British forces to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping operation.

On Feb. 18, The Guardian revealed that the UK believes far fewer than 100,000 troops will be needed to secure Ukraine’s future.

On Feb. 19, The Guardian reported that Britain and France were working on forming a European peacekeeping force to deter future Russian aggression.

On Feb. 23, The Wall Street Journal reported that Britain and France were considering sending up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine under U.S. “backing” if Kyiv and Moscow reached a ceasefire agreement.

On Feb. 24, Trump graciously declared he will not stand in the way of European troops heading to Ukraine — as long as it was packaged as a "peace deal."

He even floated the idea that Putin might be totally fine with it. 

The Kremlin was quick to deny Trump's allegations, as they have often had to do with the American leader's off-the-cuff announcements.