Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine-Russia / The problem with peacekeepers
Ukraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

September 2, 2025

The problem with peacekeepers

By Anthony Constantini

The Trump administration is currently considering providing Ukraine with some sort of security guarantee. While the exact nature of the security guarantee is still to be determined, the administration has indicated that they could come in the form of coordination and support for a European-led coalition, American-provided weaponry, and even American-provided air support. The only concept which seems to have been taken off the table by President Donald Trump himself is the idea of American troops being deployed to Ukraine.

If Trump’s promise to keep American boots out of Ukraine, it would be good for America, as expanding our presence in Europe, instead of shrinking it, would represent—at best—a strategic distraction, when we should be focusing more on Asia and on our own people. More concerning, deploying troops to Ukraine would keep Washington focused on a regional war fought by regional powers far from America’s shores, all while escalating tensions with the only other nuclear superpower.

More broadly, participating in a peacekeeping operation—or even encouraging Europe to partake in such an operation while NATO is still existent— would be an even larger mistake because peacekeeping missions, contrary to their nomenclature, simply do not work.

Read at The Critic

Author

Photo of Anthony Constantini

Anthony
Constantini

Contributing Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

David Petraeus’s Ukraine plan is a blueprint for failure

By Jennifer Kavanagh

October 1, 2025

op-edRussia, Europe and Eurasia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Russia likely laughing off Trump’s ‘open door’ to Tomahawks

By Jennifer Kavanagh

September 30, 2025

In the mediaEurope and Eurasia, Drones, Military analysis, Russia

Daniel Davis discusses the Russian drone incursions into Danish airspace

Featuring Daniel Davis

September 25, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

NATO rose to the challenge and passed Russia’s test in Poland

By Daniel DePetris

September 16, 2025

In the mediaRussia, Europe and Eurasia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

On NewsNation, Daniel Davis responds to Russia’s drone incursion into Polish airspace

Featuring Daniel Davis

September 15, 2025

op-edNATO, Europe and Eurasia, Russia

Poland’s drone scare is not grounds for Nato escalation

By Jennifer Kavanagh

September 12, 2025

Events on Ukraine-Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Past Virtual Event: A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved