In a collective show of resolve and preparedness, the “Coalition of the Willing,” co-led by the United Kingdom and France, has formally declared its readiness to deploy a so-called “reassurance force” to Ukraine once hostilities cease, aiming to help rebuild the country’s defense posture, secure its skies and seas, and deter renewed Russian aggression. Following a virtual leadership meeting that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to a ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’, once a ceasefire or peace deal is in place. This force is envisioned not as traditional peacekeepers, but as a tactical, supportive presence designed to complement and empower Ukraine’s own military capabilities.
The initiative builds on earlier planning that has seen the establishment of a permanent coalition headquarters in Paris with a rotational command structure between Paris and London, and the creation of a coordination cell in Kyiv to oversee post-hostility operations. The coalition has already mapped out specific operational tasks: restoring Ukraine’s land forces via training and logistics; implementing air policing to ensure safe skies and re-enable international air travel; and bolstering maritime safety in the Black Sea through mine clearance and expanded naval coordination.
The coalition continues to emphasize that deployment of the reassurance force hinges on a cessation of hostilities, enabling a shift from combat operations to stabilization and reconstruction. President Zelenskyy and Western leaders stress that the force would operate alongside Ukraine’s own military efforts, providing deterrence and security rather than serving as a buffer between the conflicting sides.
As Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain central to peace negotiations, the coalition’s plans reflect a broader strategy to uphold those principles while laying the groundwork for long-term stability. The reassurance force ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’ symbolizes, broader post-conflict vision, designed to safeguard Ukraine’s security and assist in rebuilding its defense infrastructure in partnership with its allies.
