Europe weighs military options as Russia seeks peace talks with Ukraine

Russia is pushing for peace talks that could lead to significant territorial concessions from Ukraine. They aim to establish Ukraine as a neutral state without NATO membership, while a multinational force would patrol the new borders. Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that 100,000 to 200,000 foreign troops may be needed to deter future Russian aggression. The U.S. has ruled out participation in any peacekeeping force, leaving European nations to consider their own military contributions. European forces would require substantial investment in military capabilities, including aircraft and missile systems. There are divisions among NATO allies regarding troop contributions, with some countries, like Poland, unwilling to send soldiers into Ukraine.