Türkiye ready to send troops to Ukraine if necessary, source says

Türkiye, with NATO's second-largest army, may contribute to a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, with discussions ongoing about regional stability. The potential role follows talks with both Ukraine and Russia.

Türkiye, with the second-largest army in NATO after the United States, could consider contributing to a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, according to a Turkish Defence Ministry source on Wednesday.

"The possibility of contributing to a mission will be assessed if it is deemed necessary for regional stability and peace, and discussions will be held with all relevant parties," the source said in Ankara.

Britain and France, two of Europe's leading military powers, have already discussed deploying troops as part of a potential force to monitor a ceasefire in Ukraine after a future peace agreement, while the United States has stated it would not send American troops.

Ukraine has insisted that any peace agreement would require a strong security presence on the ground, while Moscow has opposed the deployment of NATO forces. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Russia might agree to such a force.

The Turkish source, who requested anonymity, stated that talks regarding a Turkish deployment are still in the conceptual phase, with no firm decisions yet made.

"The concept has not yet been clearly defined."

Should Türkiye deploy troops, the source stressed that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia must first be established, and initial deployments should involve non-combatant units to monitor the ceasefire.

Reports last week indicated that President Tayyip Erdogan had discussed the potential deployment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during separate meetings in Ankara last month.

Despite its historical rivalry with Moscow, Türkiye has maintained balanced relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the conflict. It has supported forces that defeated Russia's allies in Syria and Azerbaijan since 2023.

Türkiye has also refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia and has mediated agreements between Kyiv and Moscow, such as the deal allowing Ukrainian grain exports from the Black Sea.

Copied