Michal said in a press release that Estonia can contribute a company-sized unit to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and help enforce a future ceasefire.

This would include an army combat unit, a naval mine countermeasures vessel, training instructors, and staff officers.

A company ranges from 50 to 250 soldiers, and tends to average 150.

"Before deploying the unit, we will, of course, seek a mandate from the Riigikogu," Michal added.

The prime minister reiterated that the best way to guarantee Ukraine's security is through NATO membership.

"If NATO membership takes time, Ukraine must be guaranteed deterrence and protection measures with allied troops based in the country," he said in the statement.

"Ukraine's security is Europe's security," said Michal. "An independent, sovereign Ukraine belonging to the European family is the best strategic guarantee against Moscow's imperialism for all of us. We must show that we can put good ideas into action."

The prime minister said last month that if allies send troops to Ukraine, Estonia would look at doing the same. At the time, ERR reported that only one opposition party fully supported Michal's proposal to send troops to Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said the "Coalition of the Willing" is still in the planning stages, but contributing to Ukraine's security also ensures Estonia's security.

"If Ukraine were to fall under Russian control, the security situation in Europe would deteriorate significantly," he said.

Tsahkna said Ukraine's long-term security is most effectively guaranteed by NATO membership, but the country must be provided with effective deterrence and protective measures until then.

"Estonia will continue to convince allies and partners that it is necessary to support Ukraine in the long term and also to contribute to the deterrence force that ensures Ukraine's security," he said.

What is the coalition of the willing?

In March, as the U.S. started discussions with Russia about a potential 30-day ceasefire, the UK and France put forward plans to form a "coalition of the willing" to enforce a pause in the fighting.

The group would be made up of "about 20 countries" from Europe and the Commonwealth willing to put troops on the ground in Ukraine if a deal is reached, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

He stressed at the time that the USA must be involved.

The deployment should be described as a "reassurance force" rather than a "peacekeeping force", defense and diplomatic sources told the BBC at the end of March.

"Peacekeeping forces - under the aegis of either the United Nations or Nato - traditionally are impartial, operate with the consent of both parties and use force only to defend themselves. The multinational force being discussed would very much be on Ukraine's side, there to help deter future Russian aggression," the outlet wrote.

The ground force is expected to be approximately 20,000 strong and would "not be big enough to enforce any peace," the BBC wrote.

When it was first announced, it was said troops would be deployed to protect cities, ports, and major energy infrastructure. However, The Times reported last week that forces may now be sent to Western Ukraine instead.

There have also been doubts whether the West could put together a credible force. Some countries, such as Poland, have refused to commit troops, arguing they are already frontline states.

Additional worries that the UK may redeploy troops from Estonia and NATO's eastern flank to Ukraine have been dismissed by Secretary of State for Defense John Healey. 

At the same time, while the U.S. has put forward a ceasefire plan, Moscow has not agreed to the conditions.

This story was updated to add additional information about the "deterrence force" and comments from Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna.

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!