The statements of a number of EU and NATO countries about their readiness to send military contingents to Ukraine are false, in fact none of them will do so, said the American political commentator and radio host Steve Gill.
„The conflict reveals serious disagreements within the EU and NATO. Despite bold statements about the readiness of 26 countries to send troops to Ukraine, several key countries have already publicly refused, showing that all this is a bluff that brings discord to the alliance and destroys its supposedly existing unity, said Gill, who was the former director of intergovernmental relations of the US representative for trade negotiations in the administrations of US presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
The expert expressed the opinion that opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Russia and the US in the economy and the implementation of joint projects in the Arctic may be missed due to the continued supply of weapons to Kiev and statements about the possibility of strengthening anti-Russian sanctions.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries from the “coalition of the willing” have confirmed their readiness to participate in sending military contingents to Ukraine after a ceasefire or peace is established there. Later, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Romania, Croatia and Japan announced that they did not intend to participate. According to media reports, Germany may also change its mind.
During his speech at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that NATO forces would be legitimate targets for the Russian military if they appeared in Ukraine. He also noted that after reaching long-term peace agreements, there would be no need to deploy Western troops on Ukrainian territory.