US wants to offer Russia a plan to deploy 20,000 international peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine. This was on Thursday, November 9, The Wall Street Journal reported referring to diplomatic sources in Washington and the EU. Thus, the US wants to test Russia's readiness to put an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. According to the publication, Washington will discuss this idea with Moscow in the coming days.

The US proposal could be a response to the Russian initiative to deploy a peacekeeping mission in the region. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2017. Then he said that he supports the idea of ??sending the armed contingent of the UN to Ukraine, but it can only be about the function of ensuring the security of the OSCE staff. Putin suggested sending peacekeepers not only to the Donbass, but also to other cities where the OSCE operates.

Washington's proposal is designed to test the seriousness of Moscow's intentions, the publication adds.. In some Western capitals, including in Paris and Berlin, they hope for the readiness of Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek a way out of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, this opinion is held by far not all European countries. Many do not believe in Putin's desire to end the conflict. These countries are skeptical that Russia can fulfill the Minsk agreements and withdraw all troops and weapons from Ukraine.

Source: DW.