Britain and France to hold exercises on deploying a multinational force to Ukraine in the event of peace

The key facts

The Koalicja exercises will be held in Poland from 9 to 22 November: about 2,800 troops from 12 countries, including 300 British personnel and two RAF Typhoon fighter jets
The force is not to take part in offensive operations, peacekeeping, ceasefire monitoring, or operate under NATO command or on the front line
Turkey has agreed to lead a maritime mission aimed at demining and resuming trade in the Black Sea; the US is discussing but not participating

A rehearsal for deployment in the event of peace

Britain and France will lead military exercises designed to test the ability of a multinational force to deploy to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. According to BBC News, the Koalicja exercises, to be held in neighbouring Poland from 9 to 22 November, will involve nearly 2,800 troops from 12 European countries: the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Plans for a 'reassurance force' for Ukraine were presented last year as one of the long-term security guarantees offered by European countries.

What exactly will be practised

The exercises will be a rehearsal for how to move, protect and supply forces in Ukraine, as well as a test of command and control so that troops from different countries can operate together. The British contribution includes 300 personnel and two RAF Typhoon fighter jets: the air force is to simulate how it would 'reassure' civilian aircraft after a possible opening of Ukrainian airspace. Turkey has agreed to lead a maritime mission whose ultimate goal is demining and the resumption of trade in the Black Sea. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercises demonstrate growing preparations for 'the day when peace comes to Ukraine', stressing: 'This is not a hypothetical plan; these are real forces ready to help Ukraine as soon as hostilities end.' The commander of the multinational force MNF-U, British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, called the exercises an important step in turning political commitments into real military readiness.

Limitations and open questions

Western officials stress that any forces in Ukraine will not take part in offensive operations, peacekeeping missions or ceasefire monitoring, will not operate under NATO command or on the front line — their presence is meant to reassure Ukraine and help rebuild its armed forces. The United States took part in the discussions but is not contributing to the mission. At the same time, there are more questions than answers: officials have been unable to specify the final composition and shape of the force, and the rules of engagement in the event of an attack on international troops are not being disclosed — it has only been stated that the force will be able to defend itself. Russia has already spoken out against the deployment of foreign troops: last year Vladimir Putin called them 'legitimate targets'. Officials acknowledge that countries' commitments will depend on the terms of a ceasefire and on each state's political decisions. It is also unclear what training role Western forces could play for a battle-hardened Ukrainian military contingent — Ukrainian troops are themselves in demand for training NATO forces, in particular by sharing combat drone experience. According to estimates by military experts cited in earlier publications, tens of thousands of troops may be needed to provide security guarantees. BBC notes that Russia has so far shown no signs of wanting to end the war.