(Bloomberg) — Turkey, which has the second largest army in NATO after the US, is open to providing troops for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the matter with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during separate meetings in Ankara earlier this month, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks.
As US President Donald Trump works on a plan with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to secure a ceasefire in the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, he has said he’d be supportive of European allies participating in a peacekeeping force and providing security guarantees for Ukraine, while ruling out a direct US role.
That makes Turkey’s consideration to help monitor a potential truce of critical importance to alleviate the burden on European allies, including the UK and France, who are drawing up plans for a European-led force for Ukraine.
Turkey would not be part of any peacekeeping mission unless it is involved in all consultations and preparations regarding its formation, the people said. A ceasefire is also far from guaranteed.
Both France and the UK have said they’re willing to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a package of security guarantees aimed at ensuring any peace settlement holds, on condition the US provides a backstop and supports the initiative.
Russia, Ukraine Links
Erdogan has maintained close links with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and used his ability to talk with both countries to play a central role in negotiations on a Black Sea corridor for Ukrainian grain exports, though Russia abandoned that deal in 2023.
Russia didn’t give a response to Turkey on the matter of sending forces to Ukraine, although the topic was discussed with Lavrov during his recent visit, a person close to Russian government said. The question is not considered an immediate priority, the person said.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Zelenskiy told reporters in Ankara on Feb. 18 that peace is “possible only when the negotiations are fair, and Ukraine, America, and all of Europe are represented at negotiating table.”
