Europeans do not support sending peacekeepers to Ukraine — WSJ
The idea of sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine after a possible peace agreement with Russia is facing strong public resistance in EU countries.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, a significant portion of Europeans oppose the participation of their armies in a peacekeeping mission, fearing threats to their own security and potential escalation of the conflict.
The greatest concern is in Eastern European countries, where it is believed that the deployment of peacekeepers could weaken national border defenses. Similar sentiments prevail in Germany and Italy, where public opinion is largely shaped by historical experience after World War II.
A recent poll by the Insa polling company showed that 56% of Germans oppose the Bundeswehr’s involvement in a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, up from the previous survey in the spring. Many respondents believe that participation in such an operation could jeopardize Germany’s own security.
“I’m afraid that the Bundeswehr will not cope with such a mission, leaving the country without proper protection,” said one of the respondents, 28-year-old Leonard Wolters.
In France, which is one of the main lobbyists for a peacekeeping presence in Ukraine, public support depends on clear conditions. According to the results of a March Elabe poll, 67% of French people are ready to support sending troops only if a full peace agreement is signed between Kyiv and Moscow. In the case of a ceasefire alone, 68% are against.
“We can go there to rebuild – that’s logical. But supporting the war or creating new threats – no,” said Paris resident Nicolas Dehaze.
The Polish government has made it clear that sending troops to Ukraine is not the time. Warsaw fears that such a move could drag the country into a direct confrontation with Russia. A poll by United Surveys conducted in March 2025 showed that more than 58% of Poles are categorically against sending troops to Ukraine, and another 28% are more against than in favor.
In the UK, the attitude is somewhat softer – the majority of the population supports a diplomatic presence and participation in negotiations, but does not want to provoke an open confrontation with the Kremlin.
One of the main obstacles to the formation of a European peacekeeping mission remains the lack of a clear position from the US. European politicians admit that without public support from Washington, convincing voters of the need for such a mission will be almost impossible.
Despite this, many EU leaders emphasize that the presence of European troops in Ukraine after the war is not only a support for Kyiv, but also a safeguard against further aggressive steps by Moscow. They warn that if Ukraine loses control, Russia could move on to attacking other parts of the continent.
The idea of deploying peacekeepers has support in a number of northern European countries. In particular, the governments of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Estonia are in favor of active participation in ensuring post-war stability in Ukraine.
Let us remind you that Turkey does not rule out the participation of its peacekeepers in Ukraine, but for this, a ceasefire must be established and the framework of the mission with a clear mandate must be defined.
As reported, the Chinese government has signaled that it may consider participating in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
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