Dozens of military leaders from various countries interested in facilitating a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine are set to convene in Britain on Thursday. The discussions will focus on the potential establishment of a peacekeeping force to oversee the ceasefire. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is spearheading this initiative alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to address around 30 military officials during the meeting.
This gathering takes place against a backdrop of significant uncertainty, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has set forth stringent conditions for any cessation of hostilities. Specifically, he has demanded an end to Western military support for Ukraine as a prerequisite for halting the conflict. Furthermore, Russia has firmly stated that it will not accept the presence of any foreign troops in Ukraine under a ceasefire agreement.
Starmer and Macron’s coalition-building efforts follow US President Donald Trump’s recent direct negotiations with Russia aimed at resolving the three-year conflict. Both leaders assert that the coalition is essential, with backing from the US, to provide Ukraine with security assurances that would deter any future violations of a ceasefire by Putin.
On Tuesday, during a 90-minute call with Trump, Putin reiterated that a comprehensive agreement would hinge on the cessation of all military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He emphasized that for a full ceasefire to be effective, Western nations must prevent Ukraine from rearming and halt any mandatory military mobilization.
In a limited concession, Russia has agreed to a temporary 30-day pause on attacks against Ukraine’s power grid. However, both nations accused each other of continuing strikes on energy infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing volatility of the situation.
Starmer and Macron have expressed their willingness to deploy British and French troops to Ukraine, a significant step in their attempt to solidify the coalition. The UK government has indicated that a considerable number of countries are prepared to participate, although the exact level of international commitment remains uncertain. Britain anticipates that more than 30 nations may contribute to this coalition in various capacities.
The prime minister has extended an invitation for any supportive contributions, suggesting that some countries might focus on logistical assistance, surveillance operations, or engineering support. Following a virtual meeting of world leaders, Starmer stated that planning for the coalition has progressed into what he termed the “operational phase.”
Concerns regarding Trump’s signals that the US may no longer guarantee European and Ukrainian security have prompted many NATO allies to reconsider their defense spending strategies. Meanwhile, Trump asserted that following a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, efforts towards ending the war are “very much on track.”
As these developments unfold, the international community remains closely monitoring the situation, with hopes for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
