What would a ‘reassurance force’ for Ukraine look like?

After months on the sidelines of US-led peace talks, Europe is trying to rise to the challenge of guaranteeing Ukraine’s postwar future in the event of a ceasefire.

- JAMES C. REYNOLDS

Britain and France are leading the push for a so-called reassurance force in Ukraine to retrain the army and uphold a peace deal if it emerges. Downing Street said Britain is making plans for the multinational force drawn from partners on the continent, despite the Kremlin’s rejection this week of any foreign deployment as “unacceptable”.

Thousands of allied troops could be sent to cities across Ukraine to help the army recover its strength and stand as an independent deterrent to Russian aggression - if both sides can agree to terms.

The plans are months in the making, forged from discussions between Kyiv and the coalition of the willing about what security guarantees are needed to end the war.

A European presence on the ground was initially dismissed when Washington unveiled a draft peace proposal last week that ruled out the deployment of international peacekeepers.

But the US appears to have warmed somewhat to Europe’s model for security after its contributions helped foster decisive progress in talks.

Over the last nine months, the coalition of the willing has committed to protecting Ukraine by helping reconsolidate its military, protecting its airspace and deploying a small number of troops.

During a virtual meeting with coalition members last week, French president Emmanuel Macron said a taskforce has been set up to whittle down ideas into tangible military commitments.