More European Countries Mull Troop Deployments to Ukraine

Above: Emmanuel Macron (C), European Council Pres. Antonio Costa (L), and Ursula von der Leyen at the Elysée Palace on Feb. 17, 2025, in Paris. Image copyright: Tom Nicholson/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • During an emergency summit meeting in Paris to discuss potential military support for Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer became the first leader to confirm a willingness to deploy peacekeeping troops to the Eastern European country.

  • Former UK Army Chief Lord Dannatt estimated that his country could offer a "rotation" of 10K monthly troops, with France also reportedly willing to send 10K.

  • While European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen called for an urgent surge in defense capabilities, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Ukraine's security must be a joint effort between the US and Europe.


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Europe should deploy post-talk troops and promise robust security guarantees. Ukraine also knows how weak Europe's military power is, underscoring the urgency for EU states to enhance their defense capabilities, not just for Ukraine but for their own security. Whether the US helps or not, Europe is now a Russian target that cannot afford to hide from reality. The 2014 Minsk Agreements showed that a treaty is nothing without military power to uphold it.


Establishment-critical narrative

European countries are far from being able to effectively protect Ukraine due to deep cultural and readiness issues. Zelenskyy's call for a European army highlights that financial investment alone isn't sufficient; a cultural shift towards valuing military service and readiness is crucial. Not only is the UK military — the group's supposed leader — stretched thin, but overall public support across Europe will likely diminish once the costs are realized.



Metaculus Prediction





Go Deeper


Articles on this story