In brief
The Britain‑ and France‑led Coalition of the Willing staged a 13‑day drill in Poland, involving troops from eleven countries, to demonstrate readiness for a post‑war mission in Ukraine. While Russia warned that foreign forces would be legitimate targets, European officials announced the EU would attend upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi.
On Monday, 9 November, Britain, France and 10 other European countries gathered in southeastern Poland for a large military exercise called "KOALICJA 26.2" ahead of Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
The drill, run by the Coalition of the Willing, involved about 2,800 troops from Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Poland and several other countries. It tested how the multinational force would command, move troops and supplies, and work together as a single unit, according to the British Ministry of Defence.
Polish Defence officials said the country would host the main part of the exercise and provide logistics, but it did not plan to send its soldiers to Ukraine after the fighting ends.
While the exercise took place near the Ukrainian border, the Turkish units that joined the drill focused on maritime mine‑clearing procedures off the coast of Istanbul.
Russia’s foreign‑policy spokesman, Maria Zakharova, warned that any foreign military units deployed in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets, adding tension to the situation.
European leaders, led by European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the EU would attend the scheduled peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday, even though the Kremlin said only Russia, Ukraine and the United States would be at the core of the negotiations.
The exercise comes as European officials push for a role in the talks, with analysts saying the drill seeks to demonstrate the coalition’s military credibility and readiness to support Ukraine once the conflict ends.
"This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops," said British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting in a statement.
Wes Streeting, speaking for the United Kingdom, stressed that the exercise was a genuine effort to prepare for helping Ukraine after hostilities conclude.
