European countries may discuss the possibility of sending peacekeeping contingents to Ukraine due to reports of possible military aid to Russia from North Korea. This initiative was proposed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielus Landsbergis. He believes that, if the information about the supply of ammunition and military personnel to the DPRK is confirmed, it will require decisive action from Ukraine's allies, including the deployment of European troops on Ukrainian territory.
Landsbergis called on Europe to stop acting passively and to be ready for active steps that will help resolve the conflict. However, according to an anonymous conservative EU deputy, the discussion of sending peacekeepers is possible only after the end of the war, since European countries do not want to allow the conflict to escalate.
The idea of sending troops was also raised by French President Emmanuel Macron in February 2024, but was quickly dismissed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He stated that NATO and European countries will not send their ground troops to Ukraine.
Western countries are alarmed by reports of the alleged participation of the North Korean military in the war on the side of Russia. Although US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have refused to confirm the rumours, Ukraine and South Korea have reported that as many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers may already be in Russia. If these data are confirmed, the conflict will reach a new level of escalation.
