Riga, 30 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Estonia is prepared to contribute troops to a potential European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Prime Minister Kristen Michal said on Wednesday.

The Baltic EU and NATO member is ready to deploy a ground force of up to company strength, along with trainers and staff officers, according to the statement issued by the Chancellery in Tallinn.

"Ukraine's security is Europe's security," said Michal. "An independent, sovereign Ukraine belonging to the European family is the best strategic guarantee against Moscow's imperialism for all of us. We must show that we can put good ideas into action."

Britain and France are leading a "coalition of the willing" to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia, although many questions remain.

The deployment of Estonian troops as part of the mission would require parliamentary approval.

The coalition is an informal group of countries supporting Ukraine’s pursuit of a just peace. Although it has gained momentum in recent months, the US has yet to commit to providing any security guarantees.

Moscow has flatly rejected the idea. Recent British media reports suggest that the UK and France may instead limit their contributions to training missions, equipment support and aerial surveillance rather than deploying troops.

The coalition emerged after US President Donald Trump called for a rapid ceasefire between Kiev and Moscow. Many European nations fear Ukraine could be forced to make painful concessions in any negotiations and that, without firm Western security guarantees, the country could remain vulnerable to renewed Russian aggression.

There are also concerns that the US could eventually suspend military aid to Ukraine as leverage in future talks.

Photo: EPA