London: The United Kingdom has initiated discussions with around 20 countries interested in forming a "coalition of the willing" to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, a UK official confirmed on Thursday.

The talks, held on Wednesday, involved mostly European and Commonwealth partners, though specific nations were not disclosed. Discussions are still in the early stages, with countries exploring various ways to contribute to peacekeeping efforts.

France and UK Leading Ceasefire Protection Plans
The UK and France are spearheading an initiative to assemble a group ready to protect a ceasefire if an agreement is reached between Russia and Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have signaled their willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine, with backing from the United States.

While details on troop roles remain unclear, some nations have expressed interest in contributing. Turkey has indicated potential involvement in peacekeeping, and Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin has stated that Irish troops could participate in peacekeeping efforts but not in a deterrent force. Other countries may support the mission through logistics and non-military assistance.

Geopolitical Tensions and NATO Concerns
Russia has firmly rejected the idea of European troops in Ukraine. Meanwhile, with US security commitments to Europe uncertain under President Donald Trump, Western allies are increasing defense spending and seeking greater cooperation to maintain regional stability.

Starmer, aiming to bridge the gap between the US and Europe, emphasized the importance of transatlantic unity. "Getting the US, Ukraine, and European allies on the same page is crucial," he told Sky News on Thursday.

Western nations are now racing to strengthen security partnerships as the war in Ukraine remains at a critical juncture.