The war in Ukraine is visibly coming to an end. The country is weakened and the US is withdrawing from the conflict. One of the reasons for the outbreak of hostilities was the intention to incorporate Ukraine into the Western military alliance. If this project is abandoned, the conflict can be resolved, as the underlying cause of the conflict would no longer exist. However, the NATO appears to have no interest in this, as it is now proposing a new plan to still gain a foothold in the situation.
According to a report by the Financial Times, there are considerations within NATO to establish “peacekeeping troops” to monitor and secure a future ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine under NATO command. The British newspaper cites five officials familiar with the matter. The advantage of NATO involvement, according to the report, lies in the fact that the US would be indirectly involved and access to satellite data and US reconnaissance would be ensured. US President Donald Trump, however, has rejected the involvement of US military in “peacekeeping troops” in Ukraine.
“If we want to deploy military from dozens of countries, then the NATO is the only option” a official is quoted as saying by the newspaper.
The ultimate goal is to bind Ukraine closer to the EU, while simultaneously deterring Moscow from a new attack. The proposal is essentially equivalent to a backdoor NATO admission for Ukraine and has little prospects of being implemented, as Moscow is likely to reject it. This plan does not serve a lasting peace, but rather maintains the confrontation.