British and French military planners have drawn up advanced plans to send troops into Ukraine once the fighting stops, marking a major shift in how Western allies could shape the country’s future security.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard revealed this week that the UK and France are jointly leading preparations for a post-war multinational reassurance force to be deployed in Ukraine after hostilities cease. The plan is part of a broader initiative under the “Coalition of the Willing”, a loose alliance of over 30 nations coordinating long-term support for Kyiv.
In a written statement to MP Priti Patel, Pollard said the coalition has now reached what he called “mature operational plans”, aimed at securing Ukraine’s skies and seas, helping to rebuild its armed forces, and deterring any renewed aggression from Russia.
Summits in London, Kyiv, and a Growing Military Alliance
Since the Coalition of the Willing Summit in London in March 2025, the UK and France have led four high-level meetings, including a recent one in Kyiv on 10 July, jointly hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
At the latest summit, coalition leaders agreed to push forward with operational planning for the reassurance force, designed to stabilise the region once a ceasefire or peace deal is in place.
“The purpose is to deliver post-conflict stability, deter further aggression, and assist with regenerating Ukraine’s armed forces,” said Pollard.
Not a NATO Force, But a Clear Military Signal
While the reassurance force doesn’t yet have a formal peacekeeping mandate, and no deployment date has been confirmed, its objectives are clear: air and maritime surveillance, mine clearance, and joint training with Ukrainian troops.
Rather than building the mission through NATO or the EU, the UK and France are pushing for a modular approach, allowing individual nations to contribute in flexible ways without binding them to a single structure or treaty.
This approach draws loosely on past NATO peace support operations but offers greater political agility.
Rebuilding Ukraine, and Warning Russia
The concept signals a long-term Western commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, and sends a clear message to Moscow that Kyiv will not be left vulnerable in the aftermath of war.
Defence officials have described the force as a “reassurance presence”, not an occupation or combat deployment, but one that would provide vital security during Ukraine’s recovery and help embed structural reforms across its military and security services.
