The United States has joined talks on a European-led peacekeeping force for Ukraine for the first time, as Sir Keir Starmer announced the mission is now fully prepared for deployment. The development marks a significant shift in Washington's approach to post-war Ukraine planning.
Emmanuel Macron described the coalition of the willing as "ready to go" once a ceasefire is agreed. The French president and Prime Minister spoke with allies on the final day of Macron's state visit to the UK.
Coalition plans take shape
Planning for the coalition began in March following a summit at Lancaster House in central London, with the aim of policing a future end to the war in Ukraine. That summit saw European allies rally to the Ukrainian cause, following Volodymyr Zelensky's tumultuous visit to the White House at the end of February.
Under the coalition plans, troops from France and the UK would be placed in Ukraine, while other countries would provide logistical support. The arrangement aims to deter further Russian aggression once hostilities cease.
US involvement signals shift
European leaders have insisted the arrangement would be dependent upon an American "security guarantee", likely in the form of air support. US President Donald Trump has been unwilling to openly say he would provide such support.
However, in a signal of changing attitudes in Washington, a representative of Trump's administration joined the coalition meeting for the first time. Keith Kellogg, a retired general and the US president's special envoy to Ukraine, dialled into the call alongside Republican senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat colleague Richard Blumenthal.
Ready for deployment
Sir Keir hailed their attendance as he and Macron led a press conference after the meeting. "We have just co-chaired a meeting of the coalition for the willing, including representatives from the United States for the first time," he said.
The Prime Minister added: "We announced plans for a new multinational force Ukraine headquartered in Paris, so that we're ready to support a peace deal when it comes but while Putin turns his back on peace, we are running more support for Ukraine right now to defend their people and force Putin to the table."
Paris headquarters established
As Macron and Sir Keir joined the call with allies from the UK's military headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, the Prime Minister said: "I am very pleased to say today that these plans are mature and we are putting them on a long-term footing." The French president told the gathered allies: "We have a plan that is ready to go and initiate in the hours after a ceasefire."
The headquarters for the coalition will be based in Paris, with a coordination cell in Ukraine. London will host the headquarters in some 12 months' time on rotation with the French capital.
Ukraine seeks US support
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukraine's President Zelensky joined the call from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. Zelensky told the meeting that Ukraine needs the US "very much" because of its sanctions against Russia, as well as military support.
The Prime Minister also suggested the coalition would start shifting more of its focus towards ensuring Ukraine is in the "strongest possible position" once a ceasefire is reached. An effort dubbed "Multinational Force Ukraine", which includes partners from the coalition, Nato, and the US, will seek to replenish Kyiv's weapon stocks as part of this initiative.
Sitting alongside Sir Keir during the call was Defence Secretary John Healey, national security adviser Jonathan Powell, and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, chief of the defence staff. Macron was joined by his counterpart Sebastien Lecornu and high ranking officials. The leaders were earlier given a tour of Nato's maritime command centre, also based at Northwood.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
