KYIV, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The foreign ministry of Kyiv stated that discussions with allies regarding the possibility of a foreign troop presence in Ukraine for security assurance are in preliminary stages and have not yet focused on specific numbers.
Ukraine is aiming for security assurances from its allies as part of any potential peace agreement, nearly three years after Russia's invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned on Tuesday that these guarantees could involve a troop presence.
During an interview with Bloomberg, he mentioned that the exact number would depend on Ukraine's military size, which Kyiv intends to maintain without reduction. Currently, the armed forces comprise around 800,000 personnel.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi revealed in a Kyiv briefing, The ongoing discussions about potential foreign troop contingents in Ukraine are in the early stages, adding that detailing exact numbers is premature. He emphasized the need for security guarantees involving both Europe and the United States for sustainability.
In response to the proposal of NATO member countries sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, Russia expressed concerns about potential escalation in the event of a ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine.
Both conflicting parties are striving to strengthen their positions ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's return to office. Zelenskiy underscored the significance of reducing European reliance on Russian oil for Ukraine’s security and to hold Russia accountable.
Andriy Yermak, the president's chief of staff, supported a suggested cap at $30 per barrel on Russian oil to enhance global security and weaken Russia’s capacity to finance the conflict.
We fully endorse U.S. President Donald Trump's goal to reduce oil prices, he stated on Telegram, highlighting the potential impact on Russia's war financing.