Western military chiefs set to meet to discuss 'operational phase' of Ukraine peace deal

Military chiefs from around the world will meet next week to discuss the "operational phase" of protecting Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.

The prime minister hosted a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" on Saturday, which involved leaders of 26 nations, including Ukraine, plus the EU and NATO, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking after the 90-minute meeting, Sir Keir revealed military chiefs from the group of Western nations would meet on Thursday as they move "into an operational phase".

He said they would draw up plans to help secure Ukraine "on the land, at sea and in the sky" if a peace deal can be agreed with Russia.

Ukraine war latest: We must be prepared to defend peace deal

The day before, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted a proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire as Russia agreed to an end to fighting, however, President Vladimir Putin said "lots of questions" remain over the proposals.

Notably absent from Saturday's call was US President Donald Trump, but Sir Keir reiterated any peace deal requires a US backstop.

He said the UK is talking to the US "on a daily basis" and there is a "collective resolve" to end the war, which has been shown by the "momentum we're building up now" by the many allied countries being "on the same page" both politically and militarily.

He said Thursday's meeting of military chiefs "is very much an operational planning meeting".

The PM added the "coalition of the willing" had increased in size since leaders met for the first time just under two weeks ago at Lancaster House in London.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni was the most notable addition after reports she would "shun" the meeting because she is "not convinced" by the Anglo-French plan to send European peacekeepers to Ukraine.

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PM dodges what rules of engagement would be

Answering a question from Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates on what the rules of engagement would be for troops on the ground as part of a peacekeeping process, Sir Keir said the meeting will set that out.

He said he has already indicated he wants the UK "to play a leading role" in the provision of troops and air power, while other countries will have different capabilities.

But, he said a peace deal needs to be achieved first, which requires more pressure on Russia.

"If there's going to be lasting peace, there's going to have to be security arrangements," the PM said, noting that Putin has previously broken a peace deal with Ukraine.

'World needs action, not a study'

Sir Keir also said on the call that the gathering of leaders rejected Mr Putin's "yes, but" approach, in reference to the Russian president saying he would agree to a ceasefire but there must be a "study" into how that would look.

The prime minister said: "The world needs action, not a study, not empty words and conditions. So my message is very clear. Sooner or later, Putin will have to come to the table.

"So this is the moment that the guns fall silent, that the barbaric attacks on Ukraine once and for all stop and agree to a ceasefire now."

The PM revealed seizing Russian assets was discussed in the meeting but said it was "a complicated question".

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of lying to everyone

President Zelenskyy revealed he addressed the meeting and told them the path to peace "must begin unconditionally" and if Russia does not want to do that "then strong pressure must be applied until they do".

He said the 30-day ceasefire proposal from the Americans negotiating in Saudi Arabia with the Russians has been on the table since Tuesday but accused Mr Putin of "lying to everyone" about the situation on the ground and about how a ceasefire is "supposedly too complicated".

The Ukrainian leader pleaded with the West to "define a clear position on security guarantees" and for European nations to invest in defence so the continent has "its arsenals and the capability to produce the most advanced weapons", and to strengthen air defence.

Mr Zelenskyy suggested another coalition of the willing meeting will be held in a week's time.

Who is part of the 'coalition of the willing'?

The leaders involved in Saturday's call were from: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa also joined.

(c) Sky News 2025: Western military chiefs set to meet to discuss 'operational phase' of Ukraine peace deal