NATO allies unsure of Macron-Starmer's 'troops in Ukraine' plan; Zelensky left to fend for himself?

The much-touted UK–France plan to deploy a multinational force in Ukraine is running into serious headwinds. While London and Paris have inked a post-war “boots on the ground” framework for Kyiv, unresolved issues—from Russia’s outright opposition to NATO troops, to Europe’s limited deployable forces—are casting doubt on the plan’s feasibility. Germany has now added to the uncertainty, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz bluntly stating that any security guarantees for Ukraine would require Russia’s consent and domestic parliamentary approval, exposing deep divisions within NATO over how far Europe is willing—or able—to go.