WARSAW, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As a new round of talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine approaches, the Britain- and France-led Coalition of the Willing launched its first military exercise in Poland on Monday to prepare for a possible deployment to Ukraine after hostilities end.
The exercise comes as European officials press for a role in the negotiations and analysts say the coalition is seeking to demonstrate its military credibility.
Russia, however, criticized such a deployment, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warning Saturday that any foreign military units deployed in Ukraine would be regarded as legitimate targets.
DRILLS AHEAD OF PEACE TALKS
The exercise, code-named "KOALICJA 26.2," runs from Nov. 9 to 22 and involves about 2,800 military personnel from 11 countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Poland.
According to the British Ministry of Defence, the exercise will test command-and-control arrangements, rehearse the movement of personnel, equipment and supplies, and assess how different units can operate together as a multinational force.
"This isn't a hypothetical plan, it's a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops," British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in a statement.
Directed from its operational headquarters in Paris, the multinational force has its land and air components around Nowa Deba in southeastern Poland, about 100 km from the Ukrainian border, while Turkish forces test arrangements for maritime mine clearance in Istanbul.
The drills are being held under the Coalition of the Willing, a group established in 2025 that comprises more than 30 countries, mostly European ones. The United States is not included.
Poland's Defense Ministry said the country hosts the main part of the exercise and provides logistical support, but did not plan to send troops to Ukraine after the conflict ends.
EUROPE SEEKS GREATER SAY
The exercise began a day before Russia, the United States and Ukraine were due to resume peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, amid disagreements over Europe's participation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday that the European Union (EU) would be present while the Kremlin said the core negotiations would involve Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The exact format of European participation remained unclear.
Euronews reported Monday that concerns were growing in European capitals that decisions on the continent's security could be made without their involvement.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed Friday the bloc's role in Europe's security architecture and the need to integrate Ukraine into it. She said any peace agreement would require the EU's involvement to be implemented.
French daily Le Monde said the exercise was intended to demonstrate the coalition's military credibility, with European countries hoping it would give them a say in discussions on Ukraine's future.
Stephane Audrand, an associate researcher at the French Institute of International Relations, told the French newspaper 20 Minutes that the exercise also signaled that European countries could not be excluded from negotiations, given their substantial support for Ukraine and the coalition's readiness to deploy forces there if necessary.
RISKS TO PEACE PROSPECTS
In Moscow, Zakharova criticized the timing of the exercises, accusing Western countries of disregarding Russia's security concerns and fueling tensions.
"We reiterate once again that the deployment of foreign military contingents in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable -- whether under the auspices of a so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' or any other grouping," Zakharova said, adding that such military intervention would create additional security threats to Russia.
Analysts say Europe's proposed troop deployment in Ukraine conflicts with Russia's position on security arrangements, potentially complicating efforts to reach a peace agreement.
Jean de Gliniasty, a former French ambassador to Russia and senior research fellow at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), said in an earlier analysis that Moscow would not accept troops from NATO member states as security guarantors under a peace agreement.
Federico Santopinto, a senior research fellow at IRIS, questioned whether European countries could provide credible deterrence against Russia. He warned that European forces might have to shoot down Russian fighter jets, risking an escalation of the conflict. ■
