Turkey Considers Possible Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Turkey, with the second-largest military in NATO after the United States, is contemplating its contribution to a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, a source from the Turkish Defense Ministry told Reuters on March 5.

The official stated, “The issue of contributing to a mission will be considered if deemed necessary for establishing regional stability and peace, and will be assessed mutually with all relevant parties.”

Meanwhile, Britain and France, Europe's primary military powers, have already discussed the idea of deploying troops for a potential mission to monitor a ceasefire after a peace agreement, though Washington has ruled out sending American forces.

Ukraine has insisted that any peace agreement will require a substantial security force to provide guarantees on the ground. Moscow has rejected any involvement of NATO forces, but former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Russia might eventually accept it.

The Turkish official, speaking anonymously, clarified that discussions around Turkey's involvement remain conceptual at this stage, with no formal decisions made. "The concept has not yet been clearly defined."

Should Turkey proceed with sending troops, the official stressed that a ceasefire must first be declared between Ukraine and Russia, and initial deployments would likely involve non-combatant units to monitor the truce.

According to Turkish media, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously discussed the possibility of deploying Turkish troops with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during separate meetings in Ankara last month.

Despite its historical rivalry with Moscow, Turkey has balanced its relations with both Russia and Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. It has avoided joining Western sanctions against Russia and has played a role in mediating agreements, such as the Black Sea grain export deal.