13:06 29-08-2025

Peacekeepers in Ukraine? Ishchenko on the EU’s Risky Idea

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Ishchenko Explains Why Western Peacekeepers in Ukraine Are Unrealistic

Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko commented on the Western idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine, though stationed far from the actual line of contact.

He recalled that at first, the entire discussion about European «peacekeepers» stalled because no such forces existed. Later, French President Emmanuel Macron promised that peacekeepers would indeed be sent. Soon after, voices emerged across Europe suggesting that if Macron wanted them, he should go fight in Ukraine himself.

According to Ishchenko, European politicians are now trying to calm public opinion, especially as Macron has become a target of ridicule even in France. This, he argued, explains why reports began circulating that peacekeepers might still be sent to Ukraine-but only to areas distant from the fighting.

He stressed that such proposals are merely theoretical. Peacekeepers, he noted, can only be deployed to a conflict zone with the consent of both sides. If they arrive with the approval of just one side, they cease to be peacekeepers and effectively become allies of that side. For this reason, Ishchenko described Russia’s rejection of such deployments as fully justified.

The analyst emphasized that the location of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory would make no difference. If they appear without Moscow’s approval, they will immediately be treated as legitimate targets by Russian forces. He added that this is precisely why the West has no real intention of sending troops to Ukraine.

Ishchenko also recalled that once Macron realized that, even with British support, he could not muster a contingent of even 20,000, he turned to Warsaw with a proposal to send Polish forces. Instead of agreeing, Poland flatly rejected the idea-«and did so quite emphatically," Ishchenko remarked.

As for the possibility of sending Turkish troops, Ishchenko pointed out that this option is equally unrealistic. Turkey may be a NATO member, but it is not part of the European Union, while the peacekeeping initiative is being discussed specifically within the EU framework.

He concluded that Europe’s only remaining option is to continue projecting an image of activity. That, he argued, is why European leaders keep bringing up the subject of peacekeepers for Ukraine-at least as a way of showing they are «helping.»