UK and France Accelerate Ukraine Security Talks: "Discussions with 20 Countries"

Discussion on 'Coalition of Will'...
European Chiefs of Staff Meeting in France
Interest from Ireland, Australia, Canada, and Turkey

Britain and France are accelerating security guarantees following the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. They are discussing post-war security measures in cooperation with about 20 countries.

According to reports by the British BBC and others on the 6th (local time), the UK is in talks with approximately 20 countries that have expressed interest in a 'Coalition of Will' for security after the end of the Ukraine conflict.

On the 2nd in London, from the left, Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, are seen meeting. Photo by UPI Yonhap News

A UK government official said that the meeting held on the 5th was mainly attended by "European and Commonwealth partner countries." Specific country names were not mentioned. It is known that the meeting discussed security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace agreement.

The official explained that discussions on how each country would contribute to Ukraine's post-war security are still in the early stages and that the situation surrounding ceasefire efforts remains fluid. The official also welcomed the expressions of willingness to participate in the coalition.

According to foreign media, sources said that foreign ministry officials from various countries participated in the meeting. The meeting is also linked to the upcoming Chiefs of Staff meeting in Paris, France, scheduled for next week.

France will hold a meeting on the 11th with Chiefs of Staff from European countries prepared to provide military support to Ukraine after the war. This meeting coincides with the Paris Defense Strategy Forum. AFP quoted a close aide to French President Emmanuel Macron saying that he is expected to attend in person.

After a major clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House summit on the 28th of last month, the UK, together with France, is developing its own post-war Ukraine peace plan to present to the U.S., aiming to form a 'Coalition of Will'?an alliance of countries guaranteeing post-war peace.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Macron have expressed willingness to deploy troops to maintain peace after the end of the Ukraine conflict. However, they emphasize that this is contingent upon U.S. security guarantees.

During a visit to a defense manufacturer in Merseyside on the same day, Prime Minister Starmer said, "It is a mistake to think that just waiting for a (peace) agreement is enough," adding, "If an agreement is reached, it is important to uphold it. This ensures that Ukraine remains in the strongest position." He stressed that the Ukraine security plan must be developed in cooperation with the U.S. He emphasized, "The ability of the U.S. and European partners to cooperate has maintained peace for 80 years since the end of World War II."

Russia has opposed these discussions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that such moves "cannot be allowed as NATO member countries are directly, officially, and openly intervening in the war against Russia."

On the same day, Irish Prime Minister Miche?l Martin said that Ireland could participate in a post-war peacekeeping force in Ukraine but would not take on a 'deterrence' role. Under current laws, Ireland can only send peacekeepers formally approved by the United Nations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he is "open" to deploying troops to Ukraine, and Canada has reportedly expressed interest in joining the 'Coalition of Will' proposed by Prime Minister Starmer. Australia and Canada are Commonwealth countries.

Turkey, which maintains close relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has also left open the possibility of participating in a Ukraine peacekeeping force.

On the same day, a special European Union (EU) summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. At the meeting, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, "Europe faces a clear and present threat, and just as Ukraine protects itself, Europe must be able to protect and defend itself," proposing a defense package worth 800 billion euros as a 'partial measure.'