**Ukraine and France Discuss Peacekeeping Force**
On January 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. They discussed the situation on Ukraine’s front line and the possibility of sending peacekeeping troops to the country.
The idea of deploying a peacekeeping force in Ukraine has gained attention lately. European countries are preparing to play a bigger role in defending Ukraine after the US presidential transition on January 20.
Zelensky said that he and Macron discussed a French initiative to deploy military forces in Ukraine. They considered practical steps for implementing this plan, including possible expansion and involvement of other countries.
This is not the first time Zelensky and Macron have talked about peacekeeping forces. In December, they met with US President Donald Trump in Paris and discussed the possibility of a peacekeeping force.
Macron has suggested sending troops to Ukraine since February 2024. Last month, Ukrainian leaders previously discussed the idea of a peacekeeping force during a meeting.
In other news, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to visit Ukraine soon to discuss the deployment of an international peacekeeping force. Zelensky and Macron agreed to meet again in the near future to further talk about security guarantees, including the possible deployment of peacekeepers.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces have recently launched a new offensive.