Europe Rehearses Postwar Ukraine Support Mission

Britain and France will lead Exercise Koalicja, a multinational military rehearsal in Poland designed to test how a European force could deploy to Ukraine if a peace deal ends the fighting. The exercise, scheduled for 9–22 November, will involve about 2,800 military personnel from 12 European countries across land, sea and air. The UK plans to contribute 300 troops and two RAF Typhoons; Turkish forces will lead the maritime component, whose eventual purpose could include clearing mines and helping trade resume in the Black Sea. The proposed reassurance force was outlined last year as a possible long-term security guarantee for Ukraine, but key questions about its mission and composition remain unresolved. Western officials say it would not conduct offensive operations, peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring, operate under Nato command, or be stationed on the front line. Its stated aims would be to reassure Ukraine and help rebuild its armed forces. The United States has taken part in discussions but will not contribute to the mission. Russia opposes foreign troops being stationed in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin previously called them “legitimate targets,” while Western officials have not specified how the force would respond if attacked, beyond saying it could defend itself. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting described the planned force as real and ready to assist once fighting stops. UK commander Lt Gen Tom Bateman said the exercise would turn political commitments into credible military readiness. The rehearsal will test troop movement, protection, supply, and coordination among nations. Fighter jets will practise reassuring commercial aircraft when Ukrainian airspace can reopen. The eventual force’s size and contributions will depend on the circumstances of a cessation of hostilities and each country’s political decisions. Experts have previously suggested that tens of thousands of troops might be needed to guarantee Ukraine’s security. The article also notes uncertainty about what training Western forces could provide, given that Ukrainian soldiers already train Nato forces in areas such as drone warfare. It concludes that Russia has shown no sign of wanting to end the war.

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.