Europe Urged to Send Combat Force to Ukraine
Dutch AIV recommends a combat military presence in Ukraine after a ceasefire, with a mandate to use force against Russia if necessary.
The Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs has proposed that European leaders prepare an international military presence in Ukraine in advance in the event of a ceasefire. The proposal concerns not a neutral observer mission, but a combat force with the right to use force against Russia if necessary.
The AIV report states that security guarantees for Kiev should rely on a contingent capable not only of monitoring the situation, but also of deterring and repelling armed attacks. According to the authors of the document, such forces should become a «second echelon» of support after the Ukrainian army.
The report separately proposes establishing rules for the use of force by the international grouping in the event of a ceasefire violation. According to the council’s recommendations, the commander of the contingent should be given powers for immediate response, including the use of weapons.
Thus, the AIV proposes that European countries treat a post-ceasefire presence in Ukraine as a full-fledged military mission with a combat mandate, rather than as a format for monitoring the ceasefire.