UK and European peacekeepers in Ukraine would be allowed to return fire against Russian attacks
Western officials say the British- and French-led force in Ukraine after a ceasefire would be permitted to fire back if attacked. It would not depend on US systems such as Starlink and would be almost entirely European.
British troops and their European allies who might be deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers after a ceasefire would be permitted to return fire if attacked by Russian forces, western officials have said. The stabilisation force, led by the UK and France, is expected to be almost exclusively European and would not rely on US systems or technology, such as Elon Musk's Starlink satellite communications. The issue matters because Russia's war on Ukraine continues and peace efforts are advancing slowly.
"Clearly we will protect our forces against any aggression," said an official familiar with the plans, while stressing that the troops' conduct would be "defensive in nature".
Exercise in Poland
The details emerged as the UK and France announced Exercise Koalicja, due to take place in Poland later this month. The 11-country rehearsal is meant to show how European militaries could deploy rapidly to Ukraine if the war ends. It will involve 2,800 soldiers, sailors and aviators: France is providing 1,500 troops from its 1st Division and Britain 300 from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade. Other participants are Poland, Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
Lt Gen Tom Bateman, the force commander, said the countries were committed to "robust and binding security guarantees for Ukraine" after hostilities end. He stressed the force is "non-Nato", operating outside the alliance, and would expect little or no US support. Asked about Starlink, an official said the force is not dependent on US systems. Last month the US restricted Ukraine's use of Starlink's military variant, Starshield, for about 10 days, affecting medium-range drone missions.
Tasks and risks
A key aim would be to help "regenerate and strengthen" Ukraine's military, with western troops deployed well away from the front. The rules of engagement would still allow them to defend against Russian drone attacks, raising the question of how Moscow would respond. Fighter jets are also expected to patrol to help reopen Ukraine's commercial airports, and a Turkish-led operation is planned to clear mines in the Black Sea for grain exports.
US President Donald Trump has said he would not commit American forces to peacekeeping in Ukraine even if a durable ceasefire is agreed. This autumn's peace efforts have yielded little progress, though US-brokered three-way talks are planned later this month.
