At least 1,500 military personnel from the UK, France and Germany are set to rehearse logistics and coordination in preparation for a potential future deployment to Ukraine. Troops from several NATO countries are set to take part in joint exercises in Poland aimed at preparing them for potential future peacekeeping duties in Ukraine, it has been reported. At least 1,500 military personnel from the UK, France and Germany are to arrive in Poland next month to rehearse a peacekeeping deployment to Ukraine in the event of a future ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, according to a report by British news outlet The Times, cited by Polish state news agency PAP on Saturday. The exercises will see the armed forces of the participating NATO countries rehearse logistics processes necessary for such a mission, including delivering fuel, food and other essential supplies to Ukraine and ensuring coordination among the allied troops. The training exercise is also reportedly aimed at serving as a deterrent against Russian aggression amid fears that Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine could spill over NATO’s borders. The report from The Times comes after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in July said that the so-called Coalition of the Willing – a group of 40 countries set up to coordinate aid and plan future security measures for Ukraine – will hold its first joint military exercises in Poland in autumn. Tusk said at the time that Poland’s experience in supporting Ukraine would be a key factor in the exercises. Kyiv and its international allies have long floated the idea of a multinational peacekeeping force to be stationed in Ukraine following the signing of a possible peace agreement with Russia. The Kremlin opposes such a plan, warning that foreign troops stationed in Ukraine would be considered valid military targets.
The multinational contingent is set to include German, French and British troops. (NurPhoto/Contributor via Getty Images)
