Italy could consider sending troops to Ukraine only under UN flag: Foreign minister

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Italy’s foreign minister said Tuesday that sending European or NATO troops to Ukraine is not useful, but Italy could consider the possibility of deploying troops in future buffer zones in Ukraine under the UN flag.

Antonio Tajani made the comments on the sidelines of a parliamentary session.

"If we need to create a buffer zone, it is necessary to send troops under the flag of the United Nations, and in such a case, Italy could be available, as is the case for Palestine, but always with everyone's co-responsibility,” Tajani said as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.

He added that "an interposition force must be under the United Nations so it is neutral."

Although European leaders are determined to continue supporting Ukraine, they differ on deploying peacekeepers there.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is considering sending British troops to Ukraine to act as peacekeepers in any long-term agreement, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said last week that it is "too early" to discuss sending troops.

Other countries are opposed the idea, including Germany.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also emphasized that any settlement between Ukraine and Russia should not "make the same mistakes as the past" and enable the Kremlin to attack other countries again in the future.