The Kaipher Editorial Team 
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has strongly defended the proposal to deploy European troops to Ukraine after a possible ceasefire with Russia, asserting that Moscow has no legitimate authority to determine the presence of foreign military personnel in Ukraine. Speaking at the Prague Defence Summit, Rutte dismissed Russia’s objections and emphasized Ukraine’s right to make its own security decisions.
“Why should we care what Russia says about troops in Ukraine? Ukraine is a sovereign nation, and only they can decide,” stated Rutte. “If Ukraine wants international support forces on its territory to uphold a peace agreement, that choice belongs uniquely to them. We must stop giving President Putin so much power over European security policies,” he insisted.
At the same time, leaders from the so-called “Coalition of Supporters” convened in Paris to formalize security pledges for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 nations are prepared to commit personnel for a reassurance force to support post-conflict Ukraine, acting as a guarantee of stability. The summit included participation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and American representatives, who reinforced that the Western presence would not seek confrontation with Russia but would work to safeguard peace.
Russia continues to reject any Western military deployments to Ukraine, with officials reiterating that such moves are unacceptable in any form. Rutte, however, responded that Russia “has no say in the matter.” The U.S. has lent crucial support to the plan, promising intelligence, surveillance, and air defense assistance rather than direct troop deployments. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined a multi-layered security framework, placing Ukrainian armed forces at the core, with additional support from these international reassurance forces and strong European defense readiness.
These steps highlight Europe’s intent to demonstrate its strategic capabilities while securing American backing, aiming to deter future aggression in the region and ensure a lasting peace after years of conflict.
