Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey, Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and France’s Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu attend a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in defence ministers format, hosted by the United Kingdom and France, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Defence Ministers Discuss ‘Reassurance Force’ for Ukraine in Event of Ceasefire
April 10, 2025 — BRUSSELS — Defence ministers from approximately 30 countries convened at NATO headquarters on Thursday to explore the formation of a “reassurance force” for Ukraine, aimed at supporting Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. However, key questions regarding the mission’s scope, structure, and the extent of potential U.S. involvement remain unresolved.
Coalition of Willing Gathers Amid Uncertain Prospects
The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by a coalition of primarily European nations—led by the United Kingdom and France—to prepare for a potential peace scenario. British Defence Secretary John Healey underscored the coalition’s intent to ensure a secure future for Ukraine should hostilities end.
“Together we’re stepping up as one, ready to secure Ukraine’s future following any peace deal,” Healey stated. He emphasized that the group’s objective is to position Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and deter further aggression from Russia.
Planning Efforts and Areas of Focus
Officials noted that around 200 military planners, predominantly from Britain and France, have been engaged in shaping potential post-ceasefire arrangements. These efforts have included assessments of land, air, and maritime operations, as well as initiatives to reinforce Ukraine’s armed forces.
French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu remarked, “The first guarantee of security is of course support for the Ukrainian army—that means refusing the demilitarisation of Ukraine.”
European Readiness Amid U.S. Uncertainty
Despite skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to cease hostilities, European nations are preparing contingency measures in case peace efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump prove successful. Trump has expressed an expectation that European allies will shoulder the responsibility for maintaining any post-war peace.
Ukraine has signaled willingness to consider a ceasefire, while Russia has stated it requires clarity on several issues before making a determination. European officials have indicated their readiness to deploy forces but stress the need for logistical and intelligence support from the United States—support that Washington has yet to commit to.
Calls for Clarity on Mission Parameters
Several ministers arriving at the Brussels meeting voiced the need for further clarity regarding the force’s mandate and operational framework before making national commitments.
Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said, “I don’t exclude the possibility that Sweden is going to participate, but there’s a number of questions that we need to get clarified.”
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of understanding the potential operational environment. “It’s important that there is a clear picture on what such a mission would entail, and then we can also have our national decision-making process,” he said.
Brekelmans also noted that the coalition must plan for contingencies, including potential Russian escalations, and consider how a reassurance force would interact with a possible ceasefire monitoring mission.
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