Britain and France will lead a military exercise in Poland this month to test whether a multinational force can deploy to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. Exercise Koalicja runs from November 9 to 22. The BBC reported that it will rehearse how to move, protect and supply a force in Ukraine. It will also test whether troops from different countries can work together under one command.
About 2,800 personnel will take part across land, sea and air. According to the Guardian, France is supplying 1,500 troops from its 1st Division and Britain 300 from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade. The UK is also sending two RAF Typhoon jets. Other troops will come from Poland, Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Turkey will lead the maritime mission, which aims to clear mines and reopen the Black Sea for grain exports and other trade.
Western officials told the Guardian that the troops would be allowed to fire back if attacked by Russians. One official said that forces would be protected "against any aggression", but stressed that their role would be "defensive in nature". The BBC reported that officials declined to spell out the full rules of engagement. They said the force would not fight offensively, monitor a ceasefire or serve on the front line.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise showed that Britain, France and their allies were stepping up preparations for peace in Ukraine. "This is not a hypothetical plan, it's a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops," he said. Lt Gen Tom Bateman, the British commander of the force, said it would be "non-Nato". He said a key aim would be to help regenerate and strengthen Ukraine's military after the war.
The force is expected to be almost entirely European. The US has joined discussions but is not contributing, the BBC said. One official told the Guardian that the force was "not dependent on US systems", including Starlink satellites. Last month, the US briefly restricted Ukraine's use of Starshield, the military version of Starlink, the Guardian reported.
Russia opposes foreign troops in Ukraine. Last year, President Vladimir Putin said such troops would be "legitimate targets", according to the BBC. Officials acknowledge that the final size of any force will depend on the terms of a ceasefire and on each country's political decisions. The BBC noted that Russia has shown no sign of wanting to end the war.
Peace efforts this autumn have made little progress, the Guardian reported. Three-way talks brokered by the US are planned for later this month.