European Countries' Efforts to Continue Support for Ukraine Against Russia

As tensions rise between Moscow and Kyiv and the U.S. prepares for Donald Trump's second presidential term, European countries have discussed sending troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine or a peace agreement. These negotiations, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, are still in the early stages. European leaders are focused on increasing military and economic aid to Ukraine, stating they see no signs of Russian President Vladimir Putin's readiness to enter peace negotiations. However, several European officials are examining how they can guarantee Ukraine's security, including the deployment of tens of thousands of soldiers in the country. According to Reuters, such a move could increase the risk of direct confrontation with Russia, while European weapon reserves are dwindling due to aid to Ukraine, and they have always relied on U.S. support for major missions. Officials familiar with the negotiations believe that major European countries like France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK could take on a significant portion of this responsibility. An unnamed European security official told Reuters that up to 100,000 troops may be needed. On the other hand, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated on Wednesday, December 19, that Russia is ready to consider any proposals from the U.S. to revive bilateral relations. He added that Moscow has yet to receive a response to its request for the confirmation of a new Russian ambassador to the U.S. Moscow's desire for 'normalizing' bilateral relations with Washington comes as Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accused the U.S. and the UK of supporting Ukraine's actions to kill a senior Russian general. In this context, Russia reported on Wednesday the arrest of a Uzbek man who, in what he called a 'confession,' stated that he planted a bomb that led to the death of a senior Russian general outside his apartment in Moscow at the direction of the Ukrainian security service. General Igor Kirilov, head of the radiological, chemical, and biological defense section of the Russian armed forces, is the highest-ranking military official killed. Ukraine accused him of using chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers, which Moscow denied. The arrested individual claimed in what he called 'confessions' that Ukraine offered him $100,000 and residency in one of the European countries. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department emphasized that Washington has no connection to the death of the Russian general and had no knowledge of the matter. The Russian general was killed in a 'special operation' in Ukraine; Moscow threatened retaliation. Ukrainian security sources: the killing of the Russian general was a special operation; Moscow's threat of retaliation. The U.S. imposed a new round of sanctions against Russia and North Korea. Zelensky: More North Korean troops have been deployed in the Kursk region of Russia. Trump's national security advisor, the architect of hardline policies against American enemies. Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's energy network. $500 million military aid from the United States to Ukraine.