The UK is convening a closed-door meeting on Thursday with senior military leaders from a "coalition of the willing" to advance plans for a proposed peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Over 30 countries are expected to participate in the coalition, according to the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“The contribution capabilities will vary, but this will be a significant force, with a significant number of countries providing troops,” a spokesperson said on Monday. The meeting follows a teleconference between Starmer and dozens of leaders from European nations, as well as Canada and Australia. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have spearheaded efforts to establish the coalition since former US President Donald Trump initiated direct negotiations with Russia, excluding Ukraine and European partners.
Starmer Reaffirms UK’s Nuclear Deterrent Commitment
Prime Minister Starmer is expected to attend the meeting on Thursday afternoon after visiting Barrow, where he will lay the keel for one of Britain’s next-generation nuclear-armed submarines. Earlier, he met with the crew of HMS Vanguard, a UK nuclear submarine, as it returned to Scotland following a patrol in the North Atlantic.
Starmer emphasized the importance of the UK’s nuclear arsenal, stating that the Kremlin respects it because “we’ve got our own independent deterrent and we’re committed to NATO.” He added, “What is obviously important is they appreciate that it is what it is, which is a credible capability. And that it most certainly is.”
Defence Secretary John Healey, who accompanied Starmer, reiterated the government’s “unshakeable” commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent, calling it “the ultimate guarantor of our national security and the security of our NATO allies.”
Coalition Aims to Ensure Lasting Peace in Ukraine
Plans for the Western-led peacekeeping force are reportedly moving into an operational phase. Senior military officers from the coalition, led by Britain and France, will discuss practical arrangements during their meeting at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard stated that the coalition aims to be a “credible force” to enable Ukraine to “enjoy a lasting peace” and “reconstitute and rearm.” He warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine. “Putin won’t stop if he wins in Ukraine. If he subjugates the entirety of Ukraine – which is his plan and has been for many years – he will simply rearm and look where else he can extend his influence and domination,” Pollard told BBC Breakfast.
The coalition’s efforts come amid significant challenges. Putin has demanded an end to Western military aid to Ukraine as a condition for any ceasefire, and Russia has ruled out accepting foreign troops on Ukrainian soil as part of a peace agreement.
Starmer and Macron have argued that the coalition, alongside US support, is essential to provide Ukraine with security guarantees that would deter Putin from violating any ceasefire. However, during a 90-minute call with Trump on Tuesday, Putin insisted that a comprehensive deal would require the West to halt all military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.
Starmer and Macron have expressed willingness to deploy British and French troops to Ukraine, and the UK government claims a “significant number” of nations are prepared to do the same. However, the exact number of participating countries remains unclear. Britain anticipates over 30 nations will contribute to the coalition in some capacity.