Deployment of Tripwire Troops and Active Weapon Support for Ukrainian Forces Under Review,
” (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Ko Il-hwan – There is growing interest in the details of the ‘security guarantees’ from the West, which is one of the key issues in the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.”,
According to Reuters and other outlets on the 18th (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House that day, stating that “the details of the security guarantees will be formalized in a document within ten days.”
Regarding this, U.S. special envoy Steve Whitcoff stated in a CNN interview that Russia had agreed to providing Ukraine with protections similar to NATO’s Article 5.
NATO’s Article 5 is a collective defense clause that considers an attack on one member country an attack on all, allowing for necessary actions, including military force.
Previously, President Zelensky had demanded NATO membership as a condition for peace negotiations, believing it to be the most effective way to prevent another Russian invasion, through NATO’s Article 5.
However, Russia has deemed Ukraine’s NATO membership “out of the question” for the same reasons, and President Trump also opposes it.
Consequently, experts are making various predictions about the collective defense measures the U.S. and European countries could provide to Ukraine.
In Europe, the idea of deploying a multinational peacekeeping force in Ukraine has been proposed.
Since President Trump has ruled out deploying U.S. troops, the intent is for European countries to independently carry out peacekeeping missions in Ukraine.
This idea is actively supported by some nations, particularly led by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Major European countries have been discussing a ‘coalition of the willing’ to ensure post-war security for Ukraine.
However, some European countries voice opposition to forming a peacekeeping force, which is estimated to require at least tens of thousands of troops.
Furthermore, Russia is unwilling to allow NATO member forces to be stationed in Ukraine, which shares a border with Russia.
In fact, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who attended the White House meeting, told the media that ground troop deployment was not discussed.
Therefore, some propose an alternative of placing a much smaller ‘tripwire force’ in Ukraine, according to the New York Times (NYT).
While this force lacks the capability to defend Ukraine, it poses a risk for Russia, as engagement with NATO forces could escalate into a full-scale conflict.
Another proposal suggests deploying an even smaller force in Ukraine.
The idea is to station a few hundred troops, primarily to monitor Russian military actions.
Active support for the Ukrainian military is also expected to be considered.
President Zelensky revealed he aims to receive a military support package worth $900 billion as part of security guarantees, proposing the purchase of U.S.-made weapons, including fighter jets and air defense systems.