The UK and France have made “mature operational plans” to deploy a multinational reassurance force to Ukraine once hostilities cease, according to Defence Minister Luke Pollard.
In a written response to a parliamentary question by Priti Patel MP, Pollard stated that the two countries have been co-leading military planning efforts under the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” a loose alliance of over 30 nations coordinating postwar support to Ukraine.
“Since the Coalition of the Willing Summit in London in March 2025, the UK and France have co-led military planning efforts and brought together over 30 countries at four leader level events including one in Kyiv,” said Pollard.
The most recent summit took place on 10 July, convened jointly by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Pollard, leaders confirmed the development of “mature operational plans to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and to regenerate Ukraine’s Armed Forces.”
While no formal peacekeeping mandate exists, the coalition’s stated purpose is to deliver post-conflict stability, deter renewed aggression, and assist with the reconstruction and reform of Ukraine’s security institutions. The concept draws loosely from past NATO peace support operations but has yet to be codified in any treaty or resolution.
Officials have not specified when the force would deploy or under what legal authority. However, defence sources have previously indicated that the reassurance force would focus on air and maritime surveillance, explosive ordnance clearance, and joint training with Ukrainian forces.
The UK and France are understood to be advocating for a modular framework that allows different nations to contribute in varying capacities without requiring a formal NATO or EU mission structure.