British troops could carry out training in Ukraine with Kyiv's forces once fighting ends in the war-torn country, it has been revealed. The idea is part of the Coalition of the Willing's plan to help maintain peace in Ukraine following a stop to hostilities with Russia. The move would likely prove a red line for the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin previously rejected proposals for Western troops in Ukraine after a ceasefire, warning international forces deployed to the country would be "legitimate targets".
MNF-U's Main Effort
Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, the commander of the Coalition of the Willing's military arm, the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), said the "main effort" of the European soldiers would be the regeneration of Kyiv's forces. The British three-star general said: "The MNF-U will provide logistics, equipment and training expertise to help accelerate the regeneration and reconstitution of Ukraine's armed forces."
"MNF-U personnel will also train alongside the armed forces of Ukraine to strengthen interoperability and enhance operational capability," he added. Ukrainian troops are among the most battle-hardened in the world, with the full-scale war against Russia approaching its sixth year.
Reciprocal Benefit
A Western official said the training would have a "reciprocal benefit". They added: "The Ukrainians have an enormous amount of experience now and are fighting a very modern version of warfare that we need to continue to benefit from as the Western nations. Therefore, there's an opportunity for us to draw from them and understand it."
It comes as eleven nations, including Britain, prepare to send troops to Poland for a major exercise rehearsing how the MNF-U would secure peace in Ukraine. Hundreds of British soldiers will deploy for Exercise Koalicja, testing their ability to support Ukraine in the eventuality that fighting comes to an end.
Exercise Koalicja
Some 2,800 personnel will take part in the drills, led jointly by the UK and France. The two-week exercise is the first major test of the MNF-U, which was declared ready to operate in July. The training gets underway on November 9, despite no indication of any progress in peace talks to end the brutal war in Ukraine. A fresh round of US-led peace talks is set to begin next week, with delegates from Washington DC, Kyiv and Moscow due to meet in Abu Dhabi.
Lt Gen Bateman said the MNF-U "must be ready" to act if peace is secured in Ukraine. He said the force will not be used in a peacekeeping or ceasefire-monitoring mission, while stressing it is "not designed" for offensive operations. He added: "Its purpose is to provide reassurance and support the regeneration of Ukraine's armed forces, strengthening their ability to deter and, if necessary, defend against future Russian aggression."
Deployment Conditions
Lt Gen Bateman said the MNF-U would only deploy to Ukraine at the invitation of the Kyiv Government after a peace deal and once the "necessary political and military conditions" have been met. The Ukrainian military is making Russia's forces "pay a heavy price for incremental territorial gains" in what has become a "grinding war of attrition and sustained bombardment", he added.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the UK is "stepping up" to prepare for peace in Ukraine. "This isn't a hypothetical plan; it's a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops," he added.
Three hundred British troops will be involved in Exercise Koalicja, which is taking place across land, sea and air. Soldiers from the British Army's 7 Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, will rehearse key logistical movements. Meanwhile, RAF Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager tanker will fly sorties simulating how they would reassure commercial air travel once Ukraine's skies reopen.
Military personnel from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey are also taking part. Despite all being NATO members, the MNF-U falls outside of alliance duties. The US is a notable absence in the MNF-U, with the Trump administration previously telling European allies to take more responsibility for continental security.
A Western official said the force is "not dependent upon US systems". It is unclear whether Washington is providing intelligence to its allies. Turkish forces will stand up the MNF-U's maritime element in Istanbul during Exercise Koalicja. They will test plans for maritime mine clearance in the Black Sea, enabling commercial shipping to safely return to Ukrainian ports. The MNF-U's headquarters are set to move from Paris to London by the end of this year.
