Thu Mar 20 18:07:51 UTC 2025: ## Western Allies Begin Planning for Ukraine Peacekeeping Force
**London, March 20, 2025** – Defence chiefs from around 30 Western nations convened in London today to initiate military planning for a post-ceasefire peacekeeping force in Ukraine. The meeting, described as the operational phase of the “Coalition of the Willing,” follows a partial 30-day ceasefire agreed to by Russia, which excluded a complete cessation of hostilities and demanded an end to foreign military aid to Kyiv.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the coalition’s role in ensuring a lasting peace for Ukraine. Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard detailed that the meeting focused on logistical aspects, such as aircraft deployment and refueling, to establish a credible peacekeeping force with both air and maritime components. While the U.S. isn’t formally part of the coalition, Pollard stressed the need for a U.S. “backstop” – a security guarantee.
However, the U.S. has yet to commit to this backstop. Recent discussions suggest a potential shift in focus towards U.S. involvement in Ukrainian nuclear and electric power plants, a proposal that has sparked debate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified that only the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump, with ownership remaining under Ukrainian control. The situation remains fluid, with the future of the peacekeeping force and the extent of U.S. involvement still uncertain.
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