Defence Secretary John Healey has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine as he opened a meeting of defence ministers from 30 countries at NATO headquarters in Brussels, discussing concrete plans for a potential peacekeeping presence should hostilities with Russia end.
Mr Healey, hosting the high-level gathering alongside French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu, described the plans for a future “reassurance force” in Ukraine as “real and substantial”, adding that allies must step up their collective resolve to support Kyiv both in the fight and in building a sustainable peace.
Addressing ministers on Thursday, Mr Healey said:
“We cannot jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. The daily reality for millions of Ukrainians includes drone attacks, missile strikes, and brutal trench warfare. We must put more pressure on President Putin to end his illegal war, and we must step up our support for Ukraine.”
The summit — being framed as a meeting of a “coalition of the willing” — is aimed at progressing plans for a potential multinational military deployment in Ukraine, designed to offer security and stability in a post-conflict environment. Mr Healey underlined that the goal was to ensure Ukraine is positioned to defend its sovereignty and deter future Russian aggression.
“Today we are advancing the momentum of that planning,” he said. “This is not symbolic. Our work is practical, deliberate and has clear objectives — from securing safe skies and seas to ensuring peace on land and bolstering Kyiv’s armed forces.”
Though the detailed discussions are being held behind closed doors, the Defence Secretary insisted that allies are united behind Ukraine and serious about preparing for what comes next — whether in war or peace.
While the planning is moving ahead, the path to peace remains fraught. A US-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire was recently rejected by Moscow, reinforcing the Kremlin’s hardline stance. Though a fragile truce had been negotiated in the Black Sea region last month, its implementation has been delayed amid Russian demands for the easing of Western sanctions.
In the meantime, fighting has escalated once more. Russian forces carried out airstrikes against Kyiv earlier this week, as Ukraine reported capturing Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian troops — a development that has raised fresh international concern.
Despite the ongoing violence, Western leaders are determined to prepare for a future where Ukrainian sovereignty is protected by more than goodwill. Mr Healey stressed the importance of readiness, not just for warfighting but for peacekeeping.
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The reassurance force is expected to be a multinational effort, likely involving troops from across Europe and beyond, with planning to include logistical support, infrastructure readiness, and a framework for rules of engagement.
Further military support for Ukraine is also on the agenda. Mr Healey will co-chair a separate meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on Friday, alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. This group has become a crucial mechanism for coordinating arms deliveries, training, and intelligence sharing.
The group was previously chaired by the United States, but following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January, the US has stepped back from a leadership role in European defence. In a clear sign of the UK’s rising profile on the continent, Mr Healey chaired the group’s February session and will continue to do so moving forward.
As the war grinds on with no clear end in sight, Western unity and forward planning remain vital. Mr Healey’s message from Brussels was clear: peace cannot be assumed — it must be planned for and protected.
“We owe it to Ukraine to think ahead,” he concluded. “To be ready, together, to guarantee a peace that lasts.”
