At the European Union summit in Paris on February 17, member states failed to reach a consensus on sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron proposed deploying troops behind the front line, but this proposal was not supported by the majority of participants in the meeting. Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain expressed their disagreement with the initiative, refusing to send their peacekeeping contingents.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the discussion as “an incomprehensible debate at the wrong time and on the wrong topic,” stressing that the conflict in Ukraine is ongoing and sending troops could escalate tensions. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the proposed measure “the most difficult and least effective,” expressing doubts about its feasibility. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also sounded a note of caution, noting the need for a thorough analysis of the situation before making a decision, since the safety of European troops is at stake.

Unlike their counterparts, France and the UK have expressed their willingness to consider sending troops. However, the British side has stressed that such a mission would require the support of the United States. Meanwhile, Washington has repeatedly stated its reluctance to send its troops to Ukraine or to provide security guarantees to the European contingent.

In addition to discussing the peacekeeping mission, the summit also touched on US President Donald Trump’s proposal to pay for arms supplies to Ukraine in rare earth metals. Trump proposed that Ukraine provide the US with 50% of its revenues from the extraction of critical minerals, oil and gas, as well as from the use of ports and infrastructure, as compensation for financial support provided during the conflict. The proposal raised concerns among Ukrainian officials, who considered it excessive and potentially infringing on the country’s sovereignty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has faced domestic criticism for previously offering the U.S. a stake in rare earth deposits in exchange for continued arms sales. Some Ukrainian officials have called it a strategic mistake because of the vague wording that allowed Trump to make additional demands. As a result, Zelensky’s team is now working on formulating a counteroffer, seeking to protect national interests and ensure continued support from Western partners.