In Nova Deba, the coalition of the willing is taking the step from announcement to maneuver. Since its creation in March 2025, this is the first time that its military force, the MNF-U, has brought together 2,800 service members to prepare a lasting Ukrainian defense against the risk of a new Russian attack after a ceasefire.
In Nova Deba, command is Franco-British. France and the United Kingdom, the initiators of the coalition, are leading the first major exercise of the force they helped create.
The objective set for the maneuver is to prevent Russia from attacking Ukraine again after a possible ceasefire. This purpose gives meaning to an exercise unprecedented so far for the coalition.
To achieve this objective, the aim is to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities on a lasting basis. It is with this in mind that the coalition is, for the first time, deploying personnel on the ground.
About ten other countries are taking part in the exercise alongside France and the United Kingdom. Their presence extends the maneuver beyond the Franco-British pair that commands it.
France is providing nearly one-third of the troops in the maneuver. Its contingents rank second, immediately after those of the United Kingdom.
This Monday, a maneuver involving 2,800 service members is taking place in Poland, in Nova Deba. It is led by France and the United Kingdom. It is the first major military exercise of the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNF-U), under Franco-British command. This large-scale exercise by Kyiv’s allies is a first for the coalition of the willing. For the first time, the coalition is moving from statements to action by deploying 2,800 service members on the ground.