Only six Western nations have so far committed to sending troops to Ukraine after the end of hostilities with Russia, according to a report by AFP. Despite ongoing discussions among Ukraine’s military backers, most Western countries remain hesitant, citing a lack of clarity around the mission's scope, goals, and legal mandate.
The update follows a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday involving roughly 30 countries — largely members of NATO and the European Union — informally dubbed the “coalition of the willing.”
The six nations reported to have pledged troops include the UK, France, and the three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The identity of the sixth country remains undisclosed. These states are framing the mission as a post-conflict reassurance force aimed at stabilizing Ukraine and ensuring long-term security arrangements.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated: “Our planning is real and substantial... Our reassurance force would be a credible security arrangement to ensure that any negotiated peace does bring what President Trump has pledged — a lasting peace for Ukraine.”
However, others in the coalition have voiced serious reservations.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans questioned the plan's viability without U.S. participation, saying: “What is the potential mission? What is the mandate? What would we do if there’s escalation with Russia?”
Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson echoed similar concerns, highlighting the need to clarify whether the mission would be for peacekeeping, deterrence, or reassurance.
The United States has repeatedly stated it does not intend to deploy troops to Ukraine under any circumstances, further complicating consensus within the coalition.
The possibility of Western troops entering Ukraine has drawn explicit warnings from Moscow. Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, said last month that any appearance of NATO "peacekeepers" on Ukrainian soil would be viewed as direct military confrontation — a red line that could ignite open war with the alliance.
Russia has consistently opposed the idea of any foreign military presence in Ukraine, whether under a peacekeeping label or otherwise, especially from NATO-aligned forces.
The split in the coalition highlights a broader strategic ambiguity in the West’s post-war planning. While some members push for forward deployment to guarantee Ukrainian security, others warn such moves may provoke further escalationor draw countries into a protracted security commitment.
With no defined peace agreement in place and with U.S. disengagement from leadership roles in the Ukraine Contact Group, the future of Western military involvement in post-war Ukraine remains deeply uncertain.