Europe Rehearses Postwar Ukraine Security Mission

Britain and France will lead Exercise Koalicja, a multinational military rehearsal in Poland from 9 to 22 November, to test how a European force could deploy to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. Around 2,800 personnel from 12 European nations are expected to take part, including 300 British troops and two RAF Typhoon fighter jets. The exercise will practise moving, protecting and supplying troops, as well as coordinating command and control across national forces. The aircraft will simulate reassuring commercial aviation if Ukraine’s airspace can reopen, while Turkey is set to lead preparations for a maritime mission, with the eventual aim of clearing mines and restoring Black Sea trade. The proposed force is intended as a long-term security guarantee and a reassurance to Ukraine, as well as support for rebuilding its armed forces. Western officials say it would not conduct offensive operations, peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring, operate under Nato command, or serve on the front line. They have not specified how troops would respond if attacked, although they say the force could defend itself. The United States has participated in discussions but will not contribute to the mission. The plan remains uncertain. Officials have not settled the force’s final composition, and the scale of national contributions would depend on the circumstances of a cessation of hostilities and each country’s political decisions. Military experts have previously suggested that tens of thousands of troops might be needed to guarantee Ukraine’s security. Russia opposes foreign troops in Ukraine; President Vladimir Putin has called them “legitimate targets.” The article also notes that Russia has shown no sign of wanting to end the war, and questions what training role Western forces could play when Ukrainian soldiers are already sought after to teach Nato forces about drone warfare. British officials describe the exercise as a step toward credible readiness, while the article underscores that a deployment depends on peace and unresolved political and military decisions.

Around 2,800 troops from 10 European countries will participate in Koalicja, a multinational exercise in southeastern Poland from November 9 to 22. The exercise will test the readiness and coordination of the Multinational Force – Ukraine (MNF-U), a force led by France and the United Kingdom that was established in 2025 to support Ukraine after a potential ceasefire. The MNF-U is not a NATO operation and has little US involvement. It is not intended to conduct offensive operations or monitor a ceasefire; its stated purpose is to support Ukraine’s armed forces, provide reassurance, help secure Ukrainian airspace, and enable economic activity to resume in the Black Sea. France is contributing the largest contingent, with 1,100 troops, while the UK will deploy 300. Other participating countries are Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Land and air operations will take place around Nowa Deba, about 100 kilometres west of the Ukrainian border. Separately, Turkey will lead a maritime simulation from Istanbul to assess preparation for possible mine-clearing operations in the Black Sea; Turkish troops will not take part in the Polish land exercise. The exercise will rehearse the movement of personnel, equipment and supplies, test coordination among national forces, and assess whether they can operate effectively together. Only light equipment, including drones for anti-drone and self-defence activities, is expected in Poland; no tanks or heavy weaponry are planned. French General Armel Dirou and British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman will co-lead the exercise. Officials describe it as a practical test of a force intended to deploy once hostilities end, while noting that its scale may antagonise Russia. The exercise comes as the war, following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, continues without an apparent decisive breakthrough or clear indication that Moscow is ready to agree to peace.

France and Britain will lead a 2,800-strong multinational exercise in south-eastern Poland from Nov 9 to 22, involving troops from 10 European countries. It will be the first exercise of the Multinational Force-Ukraine (MNF-U), established in 2025 to support Ukraine if a ceasefire ends Russia’s war. The force is not a NATO operation, has little US involvement, and is not intended for offensive operations or ceasefire monitoring. Its stated aims are to support Ukraine’s armed forces, help secure Ukrainian skies, and enable economic activity to resume in the Black Sea. The exercise, called Koalicja, will test how quickly and effectively participating countries can deploy and coordinate forces on land, at sea, and in the air. France will contribute the largest contingent, with 1,100 troops, while Britain will send 300. The other participating countries are Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Land and air activities will take place around Nowa Deba, about 100km from the Ukrainian border. A separate maritime simulation, led by Turkey from Istanbul, will test preparedness for possible mine-clearing work in the Black Sea; Turkish troops will not take part in the Polish land exercise. Officials describe the drill as a practical test of deployment, logistics, coordination and interoperability, including the movement of personnel, equipment and supplies. They say it is intended to reassure Ukraine and help regenerate its armed forces so they can deter and, if necessary, defend against future Russian aggression—not to demonstrate force. Only light equipment, such as drones for anti-drone and self-defence exercises, is expected in Poland, with no tanks or heavy weaponry. The exercise may nevertheless antagonise Moscow, which has shown little appetite for a peace settlement as the war approaches its fifth year without a decisive breakthrough.