London, 10 July 2025 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) – European plans for a peacekeeping force to aid Ukraine once the war ends are now “mature” after months of planning, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday.

French President Emmanuel Macron meanwhile described the so-called coalition of the willing as “ready to go” once a ceasefire is agreed.

Planning for the coalition began in March following a summit at Lancaster House in central London, with the aim of policing a future end to the war in Ukraine.

That summit saw European allies rally to the Ukrainian cause, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tumultuous visit to the White House at the end of February.

Under the coalition plans, troops from France and the UK would be placed in Ukraine, while other countries would provide logistical support, all with the aim of deterring further Russian aggression.

European leaders have insisted the arrangement would be dependent upon a US “security guarantee,” likely in the form of air support, something President Donald Trump has been unwilling to openly say he would provide.

Starmer and Macron dialled into a call with allies who make up the coalition from the UK’s military headquarters at Northwood in north-west London, where they made the announcement that preparations for the force are complete.

Speaking during the call on the last day of Macron’s state visit to the UK, Starmer said: “I am very pleased to say today that these plans are mature and we are putting them on a long-term footing.”

New headquarters for the coalition of the willing are to be based in Paris, he added.

The French president told the gathered allies: “We have a plan that is ready to go and initiate in the hours after a ceasefire.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Zelensky joined the call from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

Also dialled in was Keith Kellogg, a retired US general and special presidential envoy to Ukraine, as well as Lindsey Graham, a Republican US senator mobilizing sanctions against Russia, and his Democrat colleague Richard Blumenthal.

Zelensky told the meeting that Ukraine needs the US “very much” because of its sanctions against Russia, as well as military support.

Starmer also suggested the coalition of the willing would shift more of its focus towards ensuring Ukraine is in the “strongest possible position” in the event of a ceasefire, alongside being prepared to police a peace deal.

Sitting alongside Starmer was British Defence Secretary John Healey, UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, and Admiral Tony Radakin, chief of the UK defence staff.

Macron was joined by Healey’s counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, and high ranking officials.

Starmer and Macron were earlier given a tour of NATO’s maritime command centre, also based at Northwood.

Photo: Zelensky X