The Netherlands' Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) has called on European governments to prepare a multinational military force to help guarantee Ukraine’s security after a future ceasefire agreement with Russia.

Axar.az informs, in a report published on July 2, the council argues that lasting peace will require “hard security guarantees,” backed by a credible international force capable of deterring and responding to renewed aggression.

The report stresses that such a force should not be a neutral monitoring mission, but a combat-capable contingent tasked with enforcing a ceasefire and protecting Ukraine from armed attacks.

“The aim is to prevent violations of the ceasefire agreement and to provide protection against armed attacks by Russia. This should not be diluted: it is not a monitoring mission and the guarantee force has no tasks in the field of neutral or technical verification.”

The AIV recommends that Europe take a leading role through a “Coalition of the Willing” and favors a security arrangement based on Ukraine’s invitation and the right of collective self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. It also argues that the force should have robust Rules of Engagement and the authority to respond rapidly to violations.

“The Force Commander must have sufficient pre-authorised powers to act immediately to protect his own units, restore deterrence and prevent further escalation.”

According to the report, a durable peace for a sovereign Ukraine is only possible if security guarantees, an international guarantee force and strengthened European and Ukrainian defense industries are developed together as part of a comprehensive framework.