Coalition will prepare Multinational Force Ukraine for deployment after a credible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire is established.
- Russia says NATO military contingents in Ukraine are unacceptable.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s longstanding position.
- The Coalition of the Willing is preparing a Multinational Force Ukraine.
- The force could deploy after a credible cessation of hostilities.
- Russia says conditions for a peaceful settlement are currently absent.
- Peskov expressed confidence that Russia would ultimately achieve victory.
- The European Commission approved 6.1 billion euros in new defence procurement.
- The package includes air defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars.
- Previously approved Ukrainian procurement plans total 16 billion euros.
- Europe says faster deliveries are needed because of increased missile and drone attacks.
- The funding comes through the EU’s 90-billion-euro Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027.
- The dispute over foreign troops remains a potential obstacle to future peace negotiations. Russia Rejects NATO Troop Deployment in Ukraine, Says Kremlin
Moscow: Russia has once again made its position clear on the possible deployment of NATO military personnel in Ukraine, saying any presence of foreign troops from NATO member states would be unacceptable.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the remarks on Tuesday, August 25, as discussions continued among Western countries and Ukraine over security arrangements that could follow a future halt in fighting.
His comments came a day after leaders of the Coalition of the Willing held a virtual meeting in Kyiv to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. The meeting brought together British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The coalition said it would continue preparations for the Multinational Force Ukraine. The proposed force could be deployed once a credible cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine is established.
For Moscow, however, the prospect of foreign military personnel operating inside Ukraine remains a major security concern. Russia has consistently opposed deeper military involvement by NATO countries in the conflict, arguing that such deployments could create additional risks and make an eventual settlement more difficult.
Peskov also struck a confident tone when discussing the broader war. He said Russia would continue its military operations because, in Moscow’s view, the necessary conditions for a peaceful settlement do not currently exist.
“I can assure you, we are not just counting on it, we are confident that this victory will come,” Peskov said, referring to Russia’s belief that it will ultimately prevail in the conflict.
Meanwhile, European countries are continuing to increase military support for Ukraine. The European Commission on Monday approved a new defence procurement package worth 6.1 billion euros, or approximately $7.12 billion.
The latest package covers several categories of military equipment, including air defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars. The approval adds to 16 billion euros in procurement plans that had already been authorised, with 8.35 billion euros reportedly disbursed so far.
The European Commission said most of the newly purchased equipment would be sourced from defence companies based within the European Union. The move is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to respond to continuing Russian attacks while also increasing European defence production.
According to the Commission, Russia’s growing use of ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones has increased the urgency for faster deliveries. European authorities said procurement orders would be reprioritised and production expanded to meet Ukraine’s needs.
The latest funding is being provided through the EU’s 90-billion-euro Ukraine Support Loan covering 2026 and 2027.
Under the payment system, Ukraine can request funds after signing procurement agreements with defence manufacturers. The European Commission will then examine the contracts before releasing money, checking whether purchases match procurement plans previously agreed upon by EU member states.
The developments highlight the difficult balance facing Europe. While Ukraine’s supporters are preparing additional military assistance and discussing possible multinational security arrangements, Russia continues to reject the presence of NATO forces on Ukrainian territory.
The disagreement could become particularly important in any future peace negotiations. A potential international force may be viewed by Ukraine and its allies as a way to provide security after a ceasefire, while Moscow sees the deployment of NATO-linked troops as an unacceptable development.
For ordinary Ukrainians, the debate is ultimately about something much more immediate: whether a lasting reduction in fighting can be achieved and whether any future security arrangement can prevent another escalation.
As diplomatic discussions continue alongside military preparations, the positions of Russia, Ukraine and European governments remain far apart. The coming months could determine whether these competing security demands can be reconciled or whether disagreements over foreign troops will become another major obstacle to peace.