UK, France rally 37-nation Ukraine peacekeeping force plan Trump to back

The peacekeeping "reassurance force" plan aims to bolster Kyiv’s negotiating position as Trump seeks to push through his peace settlement with Russia. It would also  provide security guarantees to Ukraine and counter any attempts by Moscow to block its future NATO membership, which would be seen as a “deliberate attempt to derail the prospects for a lasting peace,” a British official said.

The March 11 meeting of the chiefs of staff in Paris was attended by nearly all NATO members, with representatives from Australia, Japan and New Zealand participating remotely. The U.S. delegation was not invited to demonstrate that Europe can take responsibility for much of the post-ceasefire security framework for Ukraine.

Each participant was asked to determine what contributions it could make, including troops, equipment and intelligence. The military will present Starmer and Macron with more detailed options for a peacekeeping force in the coming days, which will be discussed with other leaders in a virtual call later this week.

The plan will then go to Trump, in the hope of securing US security guarantees in the form of air power, intelligence and surveillance without sending American troops to Ukraine.