An 11-country rehearsal has tested how European militaries could deploy rapidly to Ukraine if the war comes to an end. The exercise was designed to show military preparedness, rapid deployment capabilities and the ability to operate effectively, testing plans that have been in development for more than a year.
A fresh round of peace efforts this autumn has yielded little progress, though there are plans for three-way talks brokered by the US later this month. The rehearsal underscored European efforts to prepare a post-war presence even as fighting continues and diplomatic talks stall.
Its rules of engagement would nonetheless allow troops to defend themselves against any Russian drone attacks, raising the question of how Moscow would respond to any armed incidents. All militaries are ready to act in self-defence, though that doctrine is often expanded.
A British general, Bateman, emphasised that the force would be non-Nato, meaning it would operate outside the western military alliance, and was expected to have little or no US support if sent into Ukraine. A key aim of the multinational force would be to assist with regenerating and strengthening Ukraine’s military after a war, he said, though the intention was for western troops to deploy well away from the front.