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Military personnel from more than 30 countries will participate in talks in Paris on creating an international security force for Ukraine, a French military official told the Associated Press.
"Such international forces will be aimed at deterring Russia from a new offensive after any ceasefire in Ukraine takes effect," the material emphasized.
According to the official, among the participants in such an initiative will be countries from Asia and Oceania, which will join the negotiations remotely.
“The international makeup of the meeting’s participants demonstrates how widely France and Britain, which are working together on force plans, are casting their nets, seeking to create what a French official called a coalition of countries “able and willing” to join efforts to defend Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire,” the AP noted.
The French official also told reporters about the force project, which is secret, as well as the Paris talks where it will be discussed.
The source added that the force planned by France and Britain would deter a new large-scale Russian offensive after any ceasefire. He said such a force would include heavy weapons and weapons stockpiles that could be deployed within hours or days to help defend Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion.
It is noted that such a plan will be presented in the first part of the negotiations, which will be attended by representatives from more than 30 countries.
At the same time, the second part of the talks will include “more precise and specific” discussions, where participants will be invited to say whether their armed forces can contribute, and if so, how, the official emphasized.
“It doesn’t mean, ‘This is what we need.’ It’s more of a question of, ‘What can you do?’” he explained.
In turn, the AP interlocutor emphasized that the leaders of the governments of these countries will make the final decision on their participation in these forces.
“The Paris discussions will be attended by the chiefs of staff – or, in the case of Canada, their representatives – from almost all 32 member countries of the NATO military alliance. Three NATO countries will be absent. These are Croatia and Montenegro, which were invited but did not respond to the invitation, as well as the United States,” the official emphasized.
He explained that the US was not invited because European countries want to show that they can take responsibility for a significant part of Ukraine's security after the ceasefire.
In addition, the meeting will be attended by the Chiefs of Staff of Ireland and Cyprus, as well as a representative of Austria.
“Australia and New Zealand, which are Commonwealth countries, as well as Japan and South Korea, will listen to the talks remotely,” the government official concluded.
At the same time, Ukraine will be represented by a military official who is a member of the country's Security and Defense Council.
Europe and Ukraine – latest news
Earlier it was reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning a new meeting on the peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, the virtual meeting, expected on Saturday, will bring together leaders of NATO and EU countries that are ready to provide military forces for the so-called "coalition of the willing."
At the same time, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu said that his country will supply weapons to Ukraine at the expense of Russian assets. According to him, France will provide our country with 155 mm artillery shells and AASM aerial bombs for Mirage 2000 fighters.
