London/Kyiv: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for a ‘coalition of the willing’ to establish a peacekeeping force in Ukraine will involve the deployment of 10,000 troops and minehunters, according to emerging details.
Following a virtual meeting with world leaders on Saturday, Starmer announced that the proposals would now move into an ‘operational phase.’ Western military leaders are set to convene in London on Thursday to further develop the framework for enforcing a potential peace agreement in Ukraine.
Saturday’s call included leaders from 27 nations—among them the UK, France, Australia, and Canada—alongside representatives from the EU and NATO. According to reports from The Sunday Times, Starmer secured the backing of significantly more nations than the three that initially pledged to contribute ground forces.
However, the majority of the peacekeeping force is still expected to be provided by the UK and France, with a military source suggesting its size would be “comfortably north of 10,000.”
Additionally, two minehunter ships—originally transferred from the Royal Navy to Ukraine’s fleet last year—are undergoing training exercises and are prepared for deployment to the Black Sea in the event of a ceasefire.
Despite these efforts, Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of reaching a peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg program, Stubb remarked, “I think the chances are abysmal.”
“I don’t think Putin wants a ceasefire. Putin doesn’t want peace,” Stubb continued. “His original aim was to destroy Ukraine’s independent sovereignty and territorial integrity—to erase Ukraine’s existence. He hasn’t changed that objective, and all of us must recognize this.”
Stubb urged Western nations to intensify pressure on Russia through enhanced sanctions, the utilization of frozen Russian assets, and by “militarizing Ukraine to the teeth.”
“We are willing to take concrete actions, but it is too soon to discuss deploying troops,” he added. “Without a ceasefire, without a peace process, such discussions are premature. Finland also shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, and while we protect the northern flank, there are many ways we can contribute. I welcome the UK’s strong leadership on this issue.”
The Kremlin has signaled its opposition to the presence of European or NATO forces in Ukraine and remains resistant to a US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Starmer has consistently urged the United States to provide a ‘backstop’ for a European-led peacekeeping force through security guarantees. Former UK national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts warned that deploying a European force to Ukraine without US President Donald Trump’s backing poses a “considerable risk.”
Speaking to Sky News, Ricketts stated, “To be credible, a deterrent force must be willing to fight. Are we suggesting this force might engage Russian troops in Ukraine? That is a serious question. The way to mitigate this risk is to secure a cast-iron American guarantee that if the force were in danger, the US would intervene. That’s the essence of a backstop.”
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“I just don’t believe Trump will provide such a commitment. While I appreciate the strategic planning behind this initiative, and while European forces may have roles to play in Ukraine, deploying a structured combat force without a firm US guarantee is a significant risk.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni participated in Saturday’s call despite earlier speculation that she might abstain due to concerns over the peacekeeping force proposal. The United States was not officially represented at the meeting, but Starmer assured reporters that his government remains in direct communication with the Trump administration.
He disclosed that national security adviser Jonathan Powell had returned from discussions in Washington on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. According to a State Department statement, they reviewed the outcomes of recent meetings in Saudi Arabia and agreed to continue working on reestablishing diplomatic communication.
