UK and France Push Forward Plan for Peacekeeping Force in Ukraine Without US Commitment (Video)

Britain and France have taken the lead in advancing a military plan to support Ukraine in the event of a future peace agreement with Russia. On Thursday, the two nations hosted a high-level meeting at NATO headquarters involving defence ministers from around 30 countries. The talks aimed to refine a strategy for deploying troops to Ukraine, who would act as peacekeepers if hostilities come to a halt.

The plan, being developed by what is described as a coalition of the willing, is seen as a key test of Europe’s capacity to act independently of the United States. While the United States has not joined the coalition and was absent from Thursday’s meeting, its role remains critical, especially in terms of air support and strategic backing. The Trump administration, however, has not made any public commitment to assist militarily, despite European hopes.

British and French senior military officers visited Kyiv last week to discuss the concept directly with Ukrainian officials. The proposed force would not be positioned on front lines or monitor borders. Instead, it would remain at a distance from ceasefire zones and be prepared to respond swiftly to any renewed Russian aggression.

The scale of the force is still under debate, with UK officials estimating between 10,000 and 30,000 troops may be required. However, persuading countries to commit personnel has proven difficult without a clear pledge of US support. Many European militaries have reduced in size since the end of the Cold War and are only now beginning to rebuild.

Friday will see a broader meeting of defence representatives from about 50 nations at NATO, co-chaired by Britain and Germany. Discussions will focus on securing military support for Ukraine, including weapons, air defence systems and training. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to attend remotely.