Former US Ambassador Calls for NATO Troops to be Deployed in Ukraine: What It Means

Former US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland urged the West to disregard Russian threats and to actively reinforce Ukraine's defense, particularly by deploying military contingents on its territory. In an interview with Newsmax, he emphasized that any attack on these forces should provoke a strong response.

'I think we need to deploy those troops there. And if they are fired upon, I think we need to take the gloves off and give Russia a really tough response,' the diplomat stated.

Sondland sharply criticized Putin's approach, calling it one-sided and unacceptable. According to him, the Kremlin's strategy boils down to continuing the offensive, seizing territories, and then dictating the terms of peace. 'Putin's concept is that he can keep shooting while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cannot shoot... This is absolutely unacceptable,' he stressed.

Potential Attack on Military in Ukraine

The former diplomat noted that a potential attack on Western troops in Ukraine should be regarded as a declaration of war. He did not rule out that Europe would have to bear the main burden of a direct response, while the US would provide weapons, intelligence, and strategic support. 'It would be a declaration of war. And perhaps it needs to be declared... But we will provide weapons, intelligence, strategy,' he added.

Separately, Sondland mentioned Donald Trump's attempts to incentivize Moscow with economic preferences, which, however, did not change Putin's position. 'Any sane leader of Russia would agree... But that is not enough for Putin - he wants all of Ukraine, and he will not get it,' the former ambassador concluded.

Gordon Sondland called on the West to actively support Ukraine in defense matters and to disregard Russian threats. He believes that in the case of an attack on military forces in Ukraine, a tough and decisive response is necessary.