The Coalition of the Willing will hold its first joint military exercise in Poland in October and November.
The Coalition of the Willing, a 35-country group led by the UK and France that coordinates support and security guarantees for Ukraine, will hold its first joint military exercise in Poland in October and November, Militarnyi has reported.
Central to those plans is the Multinational Force Ukraine, a proposed allied force that would deploy only after a credible cessation of hostilities.
The exercise will test the movement and deployment of personnel and equipment in preparation for that mission.
Around 1,500 British and French troops are expected to arrive in Poland in September.
Plans for the Multinational Force
The UK and France are leading preparations for the force and have previously signaled their willingness to deploy personnel to Ukraine.
Around 30 countries could participate, with a French general reportedly commanding the mission during its first year before leadership passes to the UK.
London is expected to commit more than 100 million pounds ($133 million) to the effort.
Planning includes air patrols to help protect Kyiv and maritime security operations in the Black Sea.
The latter would be coordinated with the mine-countermeasures initiative operated by Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Military and Economic Support
In a joint statement, coalition leaders said the multinational force would form part of broader political and legally binding guarantees for Ukraine.
The group identified air defense as an immediate priority and agreed to increase military assistance and deepen cooperation with Ukrainian defense companies.
Members also pledged support for Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of winter and for its economy as Russia attempts to reimpose a maritime blockade on Ukrainian ports.
Further measures will target Russia’s defense industry, sanctions-evasion networks, and vessels belonging to its shadow fleet.
The coalition estimates that sanctions and other economic measures introduced since February 2022 have deprived Russia of at least $495 billion.
