Contingent of "Coalition of the Willing" is not peacekeeping force – British Defense Minister Healey
After the meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing", British Defense Secretary John Healey said that the future contingent would not serve as peacekeepers.
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to Radio Liberty.
"No one has ever heard me talk about peacekeeping forces. These are not peacekeeping forces that will separate the warring parties on the contact line. The most effective deterrent to Putin's renewed aggression, the best way to consolidate the ceasefire, is the strength of the Ukrainian troops themselves," Healey said after the meeting, speaking to journalists.
Asked whether the future mission would require any U.S. involvement or guarantees, Healey said that Washington assumes responsibility for mediation and peace negotiations.
"And with that in mind, they will have a certain responsibility and role in ensuring it in the long term. What the coalition of the willing can do is to strengthen that ability to bring about not just a negotiated peace, but a peace that will last," the British minister explained.
Healey also said that 200 military personnel from 30 countries have been involved in military planning in recent weeks. The ministers met to accelerate military planning, "which means that this week and next week we will deepen military planning with domain-specific planning - air, sea, land and rebuilding Ukrainian forces for the future."
As a reminder, on April 10, NATO headquarters in Brussels hosted the first meeting of defense ministers in the format of the "coalition of the willing" to ensure long-term peace in Ukraine, launched in February by France and Britain. The meeting was attended by representatives of 30 countries from Europe and beyond, including New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
