The possibility of deploying a European peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine during a potential ceasefire is shifting from being an unthinkable idea to one that is being actively discussed, according to a Reuters article published today.

French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly initiated preliminary talks on the subject, though these discussions remain in their earliest stages and face significant challenges, including disagreements on whether the topic is even timely. Ukrainian sources suggest that such a contingent could consist of troops from six to eight countries, though neither Germany nor Poland – two key potential contributors – have confirmed their willingness to send forces.

The Reuters report coincides with a Politico article stating that EU and NATO leaders are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the potential format of a peacekeeping operation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also in Brussels for the summit. Ahead of the meetings, Zelenskiy acknowledged in an interview with Le Parisien that Ukraine cannot retake Crimea and Donbas alone but stressed that negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin must not be conducted from a position of weakness.

The prospect of deploying peacekeepers faces steep political and procedural obstacles, according to The Dispatch. Any mission would require a United Nations Security Council resolution, where Russia holds veto power, and unanimous approval from all EU member states – some of which, such as Hungary and Slovakia, maintain close ties with Moscow.

A key sticking point is the mandate and scope of the mission. Italy has proposed a limited monitoring role, while Ukraine and France advocate a more active engagement, which Russia could interpret as NATO military intervention.

Logistical hurdles are also significant. Reuters estimates the required force would number 40,000 troops, or 100,000 if accounting for retraining and rotations. This would represent a massive commitment for the EU, exceeding half the personnel of some of its largest armies, such as Germany’s Bundeswehr or Poland’s armed forces. While Europe has previous experience in Bosnia, where a peacekeeping force exceeded 50,000 troops in the 1990s, that mission included substantial US involvement.

Uncertainty also surrounds the level of US engagement. While US President-elect Donald Trump reportedly supported a European peacekeeping mission during a December meeting with Macron and Zelenskiy, he made it clear that Europe would need to manage the operation independently.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently dismissed the idea of peacekeepers as premature, insisting that Kyiv must first return to the framework of the Istanbul agreements from 2022. Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin media and analysts have criticised the potential deployment, arguing that it would effectively "freeze" the conflict, a scenario seen as detrimental to Russia.

Military experts cited by Reuters suggest that peacekeepers could reinforce Ukraine's defences, allowing Kyiv to rebuild its military under international protection while waiting for a strategic moment to retake lost territories.

Such a scenario could increase the value of territories captured by Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk region. If peacekeepers are deployed in Ukraine but not in these areas, Russia may face increased pressure to negotiate or abandon talks altogether.

Recent reports of potential Ukrainian offensives in Russia’s Kursk, Belgorod or Bryansk regions have added urgency to the discussions. Analysts believe Ukraine could launch such operations before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, aiming to secure advantageous territorial positions ahead of any ceasefire.

Macron’s push for peacekeepers aligns with a broader "fortified border" strategy that could stabilise the front lines under international supervision. However, any peacekeeping proposal is fraught with risks, including provoking further escalation from Moscow.