Britain and France will lead a military exercise this month to rehearse deployment of a multinational force to Ukraine if a peace deal occurs. Nearly 3,000 military personnel from 12 European nations will participate in Exercise Koalicja, taking place from 9-22 November in Poland.
The rehearsal will test how troops from different countries move, protect and supply a force in Ukraine, as well as their command and control procedures. The UK will contribute 300 troops and two RAF Typhoons, which will simulate reassurance operations for commercial aircraft once Ukrainian airspace reopens. Turkey will lead a maritime mission aimed at mine-clearing and restoring Black Sea trade. Participating nations also include France, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
Plans for a reassurance force in Ukraine were proposed last year as part of European security guarantees. Western officials state that any deployed force would not conduct offensive operations, peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring, would not operate under NATO command and would not be stationed on the front line. Officials say the presence would reassure Ukraine and help rebuild its armed forces.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise demonstrates Britain and France stepping up preparation for peace in Ukraine, calling it "a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops." Lt Gen Tom Bateman, UK commander of the Multi National Force-Ukraine, said the exercise represents translating political commitments into military readiness.
The US has been involved in discussions but is not contributing to the exercise. Russia has previously opposed foreign troops in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin said last year they would be "legitimate targets." Western officials have not detailed rules of engagement if international troops were attacked, though they say the force could defend itself.
Western officials declined to specify the final composition of any force deployed to Ukraine, citing dependence on circumstances of hostilities ending and individual nations' political decisions. Military experts have previously suggested Western nations might need to send tens of thousands of troops to guarantee Ukrainian security.