 "A resident stands in her flat in an apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. File image/ Reuters")
At least 20 countries have shown interest in being a part of a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, a British official said on Thursday.
Officials from the UK held meetings with several countries that comprised “largely European and Commonwealth partners” on Wednesday, although the names of the nations were not specified.
He said discussions about how countries might contribute were still in the “early stages”. The situation regarding efforts to end the war was “very fluid”, he noted.
“Of course, we welcome the increased engagement we are receiving from these European and Commonwealth partners,” the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
As the US cosies up to Russia and sidelines Ukraine, France and Britain have taken it upon themselves to prepare a group of allies that help protect a ceasefire if an agreement is reached to end the war.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron have said they are ready to deploy troops to Ukraine to ensure that a possible ceasefire is preserved, with US support.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Turkey also expressed its willingness to play a part in peacekeeping efforts and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said that his country’s troops could be involved in peacekeeping but would not be deployed in any “deterrent force”.
With the United States’ long-term commitment to Europe’s security now in doubt under President Donald Trump, western countries are scrambling to step up their defence spending and maintain a united front.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsStarmer, who is trying to act as a bridge between Europe and the United States, told Sky News on Thursday that he is working to “get the US, Ukraine and European allies onto the same page”.
“It’s that ability to work with the United States and our European partners that has kept the peace for 80 years now,” he said during a defence-related visit in northwest England.
With inputs from agencies