UK, France and Germany prepare peacekeepers for possible deployment in Ukraine

First joint peacekeeping presence manoeuvres

In November, the first-ever military exercises of their kind are scheduled to take place on Polish territory, during which approximately 1,500 European servicemen will rehearse scenarios for deploying forces in Ukraine. The primary objective of these measures is to prepare for a possible post-war scenario in which the presence of European troops on Ukrainian territory would serve as a deterrent factor.

Participants and objectives of the manoeuvres

According to The Times, at least 1,500 British, French and German servicemen, as well as the Polish armed forces, will take part in the exercises. The main focus of the training will be rehearsing the movement of units and ensuring their logistics within the framework of a multinational peacekeeping operation.

A source in the UK Ministry of Defence clarified that the military would model a situation in which «багатонаціональні війська перебувають разом у певному районі» ("multinational forces are together in a certain area"). Meanwhile, no further details of the scenario were disclosed there.

Leaders' stance and political significance

A senior Polish official noted that holding such exercises aims to demonstrate the unity of leading European military powers in the face of the threat from Russia, as well as to confirm the need for continued support for Ukraine.

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also confirmed preparations for the manoeuvres. During a visit to Washington, he stated that thousands of servicemen would take part in large-scale exercises in Poland next month. In his words, this would allow them to prepare to provide assistance in military training and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.