BRUSSELS — Britain and France are set to host a gathering of defense ministers from around 30 countries this Thursday. The main focus will be on advancing plans to send troops to Ukraine, aiming to oversee any potential peace agreement with Russia.
This significant meeting will take place at NATO headquarters and is the first of its kind among defense leaders from what is being referred to as the “coalition of the willing.” This follows a recent trip to Kyiv by senior military officials from both the UK and France, aimed at laying the groundwork for discussions held in previous meetings among leaders of coalition nations.
While the United States will not be represented at this gathering, its involvement remains crucial. The coalition’s effectiveness heavily depends on U.S. military support, including airpower. However, the Trump administration has yet to make any formal public commitment regarding this assistance.
As Europe grapples with security concerns, there is a heightened focus on its capability and willingness to safeguard its own interests, both in Ukraine and beyond. The composition of any deployed force will largely hinge on the specifics of a future peace agreement. It is expected that the troops would not be stationed directly on Ukraine’s border with Russia but rather farther from the ceasefire line, perhaps even beyond Ukrainian territory, prepared to respond to any Russian aggression.
Building a sufficient military presence to act as a reliable deterrent poses challenges for countries that have reduced their armed forces since the end of the Cold War. The UK has indicated a prospective troop deployment ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 personnel.
There is also a hesitance among nations to commit troops without assurance of U.S. backing. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have warned that Russian forces may be gearing up for a new offensive in the coming weeks, aiming to exert additional pressure on Kyiv and strengthen Moscow’s position in peace negotiations.
Additionally, on Friday, representatives from approximately 50 nations are expected to convene at NATO to rally support for military assistance to Ukraine, with the meeting to be chaired by officials from Britain and Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not anticipated to be present at this event.
