French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly exploring the creation of a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine as a safeguard against potential new Russian aggression.
Macron considers Poland a pivotal ally for this initiative and plans to consult Polish leadership during his visit to Warsaw on 12 December (today).
The news was initially reported by Rzeczpospolita, a Polish outlet, and subsequently cited by European Pravda. According to the report, the proposal involves deploying peacekeeping forces from European nations to act as a deterrent in the event of a ceasefire agreement to conclude the current phase of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
This potential mission is expected to be a central topic of discussion during Macron’s engagements with global leaders. Macron reportedly floated the idea during his meetings with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other leaders who gathered in Paris last Saturday for the reopening of the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.
In addition, sources speculate that Macron discussed the initiative privately with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer during their meeting in mid-November, as well as with representatives from Northern Europe and the Baltic states on 27 November.
Experts from the Paris-based think tank IFRI (French Institute of International Relations) have weighed in on the possible structure of the peacekeeping force. Élie Tenenbaum, an expert from IFRI, suggested that the mission might require a deployment of up to five brigades—equivalent to approximately 40,000 personnel. Given its military strength and strategic position, Poland is likely to command one of these brigades.
Camille Grand, NATO’s former Deputy Secretary General for Defence Investments, emphasized the importance of broad international participation to enhance the mission’s deterrent effect. While US involvement, even symbolic, is seen as crucial, other countries, such as the Netherlands, are likely to contribute. Following a potential leadership change, Germany could also join the initiative.
