Zelensky Confirmed the Importance of Military Contingents from Powerful Countries in Ukraine

• Zelensky emphasized the importance of the participation of major states in deploying military forces in Ukraine.
• The Coalition of Friendly States is considering various forms of participation of countries in ensuring security.
• Germany and the United Kingdom confirmed their readiness to send their contingents.

This is reported by Interfax Ukraine, RBC Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky noted that among the countries that can send military contingents to Ukraine, there should be "powerful states." He expressed this opinion before a meeting with the German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil.

Zelensky added that it is important that the main participants of the "Coalition of Friends" are ready to deploy their forces in Ukraine. "I believe that there will be a different level of involvement of countries in security matters for Ukraine, but we should not limit ourselves to discussing 'military subunits.' It is important that they are from major countries, leading participants in this coalition," he added.

The president emphasized that the main guarantor of security is a strong Ukrainian army. He also stressed the need to increase funding for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the development of the military sector, including the production of drones.

Deployment of Military Forces in Ukraine

It is reminded that on August 18, a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, the USA, France, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the leadership of the European Commission and NATO Secretary General took place in the White House. The main topic of discussion was security guarantees for Ukraine.

Partners discussed the possibility of providing guarantees, similar to Article 5 of NATO, but outside the Alliance. During the negotiations, US President Donald Trump confirmed the US's participation in these guarantees, but emphasized that the main burden should be placed on European partners, excluding the deployment of American troops in Ukraine.

The Coalition of Friends also confirmed the readiness to deploy forces to support Ukraine. After the meeting in the White House, about 10 countries expressed their readiness to send troops. In particular, Germany did not rule out the possibility of deploying its military contingent in Ukraine, while the United Kingdom has already stated its readiness to send troops in the first week after signing a potential agreement on peace or cessation of hostilities with Russia.

Estonia is also ready to send a humanitarian contingent, which will consist of one platoon. Meanwhile, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak stated that his country will not send troops to Ukraine, as the main tasks are to defend the eastern flank of NATO and protect the Polish-Belarusian border.

Greece confirmed its readiness to assist, but not with military contingents. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs noted that it is currently premature to talk about sending troops to Ukraine, as first, it is necessary to finalize a peace agreement and clarify the main elements of this agreement.

Tags: Ukraine/Politics