According to Bloomberg, Germany, Italy, Poland, UK and Canada are to me in Paris next week to discuss Ukraine:

The Wall Street Journal published an article today about a European initiative for peace with the issues of that initiative. A summary

  • Western allies are discussing deploying 10,000 to 30,000 troops to Ukraine to help enforce a potential peace deal with Russia.
  • Talks are led by the U.K. and France, with no U.S. troops involved. Nations involved include Britain, France, Sweden, Denmark, and Australia. Eastern European countries prefer logistical support over direct deployment.
  • Key concerns:
    • Troops could be drawn into conflict without U.S. backing.
    • Uncertainty over whether they could engage Russian forces if attacked.
  • European leaders will only send troops if a lasting peace is secured, but Putin rejects any peace deal that includes Western forces.
  • Possible workaround: Inclusion of troops from neutral countries like China or India to gain Russian acceptance.
  • Europe seeks U.S. commitment for logistical support, air defense, and intelligence to monitor Russia. The Biden administration has not yet agreed.
  • Military constraints:
    • A large deployment would weaken NATO defenses elsewhere (Baltics, Finland).
    • Long-term commitment would be costly and strain Europe’s already weakened military forces.
    • U.K. sending 5,000 troops would use half its deployable field army.
  • Alternative approaches include:
    • A smaller force for rapid reinforcement rather than a permanent presence.
    • Focus on air and maritime security, infrastructure protection, and troop training rather than frontline defense.
  • Size estimates for effectiveness:
    • 5,000 troops: Only capable of countering small threats.
    • 30,000 troops: Able to handle multiple Russian incursions.
    • 60,000 - 100,000 troops: Needed for sustained land combat, but beyond Europe’s capability.
  • Canada and Japan may also join the initiative, though it would not be a NATO-led mission.

The big problem is Russia's acceptance. They do not want foreign troops involved.

Source: Forex Live