Brussels 10.04.2025 Today the coalition of European and Pacific partners met at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to discuss a path towards to the deployment of military contingent on the territory of Ukraine to ensure peace, and stability.
“Our planning is real and substantial. Our plans are well developed and we have clear objectives for Ukraine,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said in his opening remarks. The underlined that Great Britain is committed to putting Ukraine in the “strongest possible position on the battlefield and through negotiations to help secure a lasting peace”.

In Brussels today, Defence Ministers and military leaders came together to build the momentum and progress of our Coalition of the Willing.

We stand by Ukraine in the fight, and we will stand by Ukraine in the peace. pic.twitter.com/Y0mJkTRH5u

— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) April 10, 2025

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In spite of the high status of the participants, and determination of Great Britain, and France as closest partners in the coalition initiative, and the impressive assembly of 30 countries, mainly NATO allies, but also Austria, New Zeeland, and Japan, – the event was rather low profile in absence of the U.S. political support. Previously the President Trump administration has excluded the U.S. participation in the “reassurance force”. Nevertheless the leadership in both London and Paris is not giving up hope to convince the reluctant partners to change their opinion. Next to political backing, the coalition is interested to receive the intelligence sharing, the surveillance, and other forms of the U.S. capabilities based on the system of 249 military satellites. For comparison France has 17 military satellites, and the UK has only six operational ones, being used to receive services from the U.S. constellations.

The U.K. officials insist that the U.S. contribution is a key part of the Coalition of willing intentions, Bloomberg reported, casting shadow of doubt on President’s Macron initiative future unless the allies succeed in influencing Trump administration to change their mind.

While promoting his initiative President Macron underlined that the plans of Coalition of Willing would go ahead “with or without the U.S.” However for obvious reasons these efforts wouldn’t be sustainable without the U.S. participation in one or the other form, including the political endorsement.

Meanwhile 30 countries, including European, Pacific, and Commonwealth nations, have been engaged in the coalition’s talks, and six among them reportedly considering to contribute their troops. The other partners in the Coalition are offering the other forms of military contribution. Not least are the military training, which will certainly continue.

The coalition of the unwilling.

Only six of the 30 countries participating in the "Coalition of the Willing" have expressed their willingness to send troops to Ukraine, — AFP

European officials told the agency that the six include the United Kingdom, France, and the Baltic… pic.twitter.com/DpKHavv0Em

— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) April 10, 2025

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“We are stepping up as one ready to secure Ukraine’s future following any peace deal. We advance the momentum of that planning here today, planning to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to protect its sovereignty and to deter any further Russian aggression,” Healey said at the opening of the meeting in the NATO HQ, hosting the event.

“Our plans are well developed, and we have clear objectives for Ukraine: First, to secure safe skies; second, to secure safe sea; third, to support a peace on the land; and fourth to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces to become their own strongest possible deterrent,” he continued. Confirming once again that the Ukrainian military themselves are still perceived as the main pillar of deterrence against further Russian aggression, while the allied troops, which could number between 10,000 and 30,000, would secure strategic facilities in the rear.

“We must put more pressure on (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin to end his war, and we must step up our support for Ukraine, both in the fight and in the push for peace,” Healey concluded.
10.04.2025 Brussels, Anna van Densky from NAGO HQ