Europe’s future force for Ukraine from 11 countries will hold its first rehearsal in Poland—for a peace that doesn’t exist yet
2,800 troops will train about 100 km from the Ukrainian border.
The United Kingdom and France are set to lead Exercise Koalicja, the inaugural major drill by the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNF-U), according to statements from both nations on November 3. MNF-U serves as the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries pledging additional military, economic, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine.
The participating nations will conduct the drills while Russia continues its attacks against Ukraine without a ceasefire agreement, and the country remains opposed to the presence of Western troops on its soil, as per reports from Kyiv Post. Following months of negotiations and summits, the Coalition of the Willing is transitioning towards tangible military preparations, as reported by Le Monde on November 2.
The exercise will assess the capability of allied forces to collaborate effectively. It involves 2,800 military personnel from 11 countries, including Turkey's naval contingent, namely Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, according to the UK's announcement.
The United States is not part of this framework, and its role in future security guarantees for Ukraine remains uncertain, as noted by Le Monde. The soldiers will evaluate how the force is led, practice transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies, and determine if its separate units can function as a unified entity. British Army's 7th Brigade will simulate the movement of troops and supplies, while RAF Typhoon jets, backed by a Voyager tanker plane, will carry out practice missions to safeguard commercial flights once Ukraine's airspace resumes, as stated in the statement.
Turkish forces will establish the force's naval wing in Istanbul and test mine-clearing plans to enable merchant ships to navigate to Ukrainian ports once again. If peace is achieved, the force aims to bolster Ukraine's skies and seas' security and reconstruct its army, but it will only enter Ukraine after the fighting ceases and Kyiv requests its assistance.
The exercise, named "Koalicja," meaning "coalition" in Polish, is scheduled to take place from November 9 to 22 near Nowa Dęba in southeastern Poland, approximately 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Poland was deemed a suitable location to host the first exercise due to its experience in organizing similar military training activities.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, several training centers for Ukrainian troops have operated on Polish soil, such as one within the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), as reported by Le Monde. The Coalition of the Willing is coordinating further assistance for Ukraine.
Comprising 36 countries, it works on security guarantees for Ukraine post-war. In October 2026, Germany initiated preparations for a fresh meeting of the coalition amidst persistent Russian assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, despite declarations of a potential energy truce.
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