Defence ministers from around 30 countries met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss forming a potential reassurance force for Ukraine, should a ceasefire be reached with Russia.
The meeting, led by Britain and France, took place at NATO headquarters. It was part of ongoing talks among European nations on how to help secure Ukraine's future, especially if U.S.-led negotiations with Moscow succeed.
"Together we're stepping up as one," said British Defence Secretary John Healey, "ready to secure Ukraine’s future following any peace deal."
The group includes about 200 military planners, mostly from the UK and France, but also from other European allies. Discussions have covered land, air and sea operations, and how to further strengthen Ukraine’s defence.
France’s defence minister, Sebastien Lecornu, said the first priority was ensuring that Ukraine does not face demilitarisation under any agreement.
Many European officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready for peace. Still, they want to show U.S. President Donald Trump that Europe is prepared to contribute if a ceasefire is brokered.
Trump has said Europe must take the lead in securing any post-war settlement. But so far, he has not guaranteed that U.S. forces would help with intelligence or logistics.
Several ministers said they were open to joining a reassurance force, but needed more clarity. That includes the mission’s goals, its rules of engagement, and how it would respond to any Russian escalation.
Sweden’s defence minister said participation wasn’t off the table, but more answers were needed. Dutch minister Ruben Brekelmans echoed that, saying countries must first understand the risks and responsibilities before committing troops.
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