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Ukraine and Western allies plan for the future of the conflict with Russia

Europe considers sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine with a view to a possible end to the conflict after Donald Trump takes office

Ukraine and its Western allies are planning for the future of the conflict with Russia, which is now over 1,000 days old. The geopolitical picture will undergo a major change in January, when Donald Trump will once again assume the presidency of the United States. The president-elect has repeatedly reiterated his intention to facilitate a peace agreement between Kiev and Moscow, hinting, albeit indirectly, that US military assistance to Ukraine will be reduced.

European preparations for a new balance

This scenario forces Europe, the heart of NATO, to prepare for a new balance. On Wednesday evening in Brussels, European leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss the prospects for peace and the possibility of sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. According to Politico, the topic of sending European soldiers has been at the centre of discussions for days.

Strategic meeting in Brussels

The meeting will be an opportunity to coordinate a common strategy in view of Trump’s inauguration, who has reportedly already given his consent on one fundamental condition: no American soldiers will set foot in Ukraine. In addition to Rutte and Zelensky, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to attend the summit. The presences of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer remain uncertain.

Critical situation on the ground

Meanwhile, the war on the ground continues. Russian forces are advancing in Donetsk, while Ukraine desperately tries to defend its positions. The situation is becoming increasingly critical in view of future peace talks. President Zelensky, in an attempt to keep the front united, has replaced the commander of the operational troops around the Donetsk towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Oleksander Lutsenko, who suffered heavy defeats in that area, will be replaced by Oleksander Tarnavski, whose appointment is still awaiting official confirmation.

Risk of the fall of Kurakhove

Kurakhove, partially occupied by Russian troops, is at risk of falling, while criticism of the Ukrainian military leadership for a defence deemed insufficient in Pokrovsk is growing. There are fears that a possible encirclement of the city could pave the way for a Russian advance towards the Dnipropetrovsk region, further worsening the situation for Kiev.

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