Rutte Says Post-Ukraine Peace To Include NATO Boots By Air, Land & Sea

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared that a "coalition of the willing" will deploy forces in Ukraine after a peace deal with Russia. These forces would include land, sea, and air assets from Western nations. Rutte emphasized the need for binding security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression, including a US "backstop". This stance aligns with the European view of a final peace deal. Russia, however, rejects this option, citing its goal of preventing NATO expansion and deployment near its borders. Moscow has warned that foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered targets. Lavrov has stated that foreign military intervention, even in a "peacekeeping" role, would be unacceptable. Rutte also advocated for better "burden-sharing" among allies. He condemned Russia's invasion, highlighting its impact on civilians. Despite this, Russia and the US remain at odds in negotiations, with little progress. The article suggests this represents Europe's inflexible stance, and territorial concessions remain a point of contention.