BRUSSELS — In a significant gathering on Thursday, Ukraine’s allies, part of the coalition of the willing, convened to discuss the formation of a security mission intended to oversee any potential peace agreement with Russia. However, their efforts have been hindered by Moscow’s persistent military actions.
British Defence Secretary John Healey, who chaired the summit at NATO Headquarters alongside French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, emphasized the current landscape of uncertainty that military planners face. He stated, “What we are dealing with is a period where we have less certainty, less time than as military planners you would normally be used to. We simply can’t settle unless we get the circumstances of a negotiated peace.”
Challenges in achieving a ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his commitment to ending the war, urging both Russia and Ukraine to agree on a partial ceasefire. Nonetheless, formal discussions on conditions are still pending, and hostilities continue, with Russia intensifying its offensive and targeting civilian and energy infrastructure within Ukraine.
A Western official indicated that intelligence suggests Russian President Vladimir Putin remains optimistic about achieving a military victory, believing that his position is strengthening due to recent minor advancements on the battlefield.
The coalition, comprising approximately 30 nations, notably excluding the U.S., seeks to determine how best to support Ukraine in deterring potential Russian aggression should a peace agreement or ceasefire materialize. Initially focused on ground forces, French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal has since expanded to include air and maritime support.
Military planning and future steps
During the talks, the allies outlined four primary objectives: ensuring safe skies, securing maritime routes, establishing peace on land, and strengthening the Ukrainian military. The defense chiefs of the U.K. and France provided briefings to their counterparts on military strategies following visits to Kyiv.
Lecornu assured reporters that military planning would progress in the upcoming weeks, stating, “Many countries are beginning to position themselves in terms of contributions related to political or military feasibility. Others are asking questions. It’s an important stage, and the rest will be done in writing during the week, we’ll be going into detail on a certain number of points, with a report at the end of next week.” However, he noted that a definitive timeline for military deployment hinges on the establishment of a ceasefire.
Healey clarified that the reassurance mission should not be viewed as a “peacekeeping force” designed to separate the opposing factions. He remarked, “The best way of cementing a ceasefire is the strength of the Ukrainian forces themselves.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, reiterated the current absence of peace, stating, “At the moment there is no peace to keep. It’s up to the member states to provide concrete numbers of troops; some member states are willing to participate, some are not, let’s discuss that if there’s a peace.”
The U.S. has expressed reluctance to participate in a military mission in Ukraine, leading many nations to hesitate in their plans without American support in logistics, air defense, and intelligence. Kallas acknowledged this challenge, stating, “The coalition is trying to keep the United States on board.”
Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen stressed the importance of U.S. involvement, saying, “We are emphasizing that the U.S. must be a key player in securing peace in Ukraine.”
In addition, another group of Ukrainian allies, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, is scheduled to meet at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday, where new support for Kyiv is expected to be announced.