- European officials are drafting a post-war “reassurance force” concept for Ukraine, with U.K. and French contingents discussed.
- About 10 European countries could contribute, focusing first on training and personnel support away from the front lines.
- President Donald Trump said the U.S. will not send ground troops but could support “by air” under future guarantees.
The Big Picture
About 10 European Countries Prepare to Send Troops to Ukraine After War Ends
European leaders are advancing a post-war security package for Ukraine that could station European troops inside the country under a future peace agreement, **on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025**, according to a detailed report by Bloomberg. The emerging plan, discussed after high-level meetings in Washington, aims to deter renewed Russian aggression and give Kyiv tangible guarantees once active hostilities stop.
Early outlines center on a European-led reassurance presence positioned away from the front lines, paired with a first phase focused on training and personnel reinforcement. Officials have discussed contributions from roughly 10 countries, with the U.K. and France sending hundreds of soldiers as part of a multinational contingent. A complementary U.S. role under consideration includes intelligence sharing, border surveillance, weapons deliveries and possibly air defense—enablers designed to strengthen deterrence without placing American ground troops in Ukraine.
Politically, the effort gained momentum after President Donald Trump said the United States would not deploy troops but could assist “by air” under any eventual guarantees. The White House emphasized the guarantees are critical to achieving a durable peace, while European capitals are moving on an accelerated timeline. European Council President António Costa signaled that terms for the guarantees should be arranged in the coming days, reflecting a push to translate political alignment into concrete security measures.
Moscow has restated its categorical opposition to any NATO-country military presence in Ukraine, reinforcing the diplomatic hurdles ahead. Even so, European officials argue that a clearly defined reassurance mission—combined with U.S. enablers—could help stabilize a post-war environment and reduce the risk of renewed large-scale conflict once a settlement is in place.
What’s New
Officials discussed sending British and French units as part of a wider European package and began sketching troop numbers and locations, Bloomberg reported. In the coming days, European military chiefs are expected to meet U.S. counterparts to coordinate “robust security guarantees” and planning for a reassurance force should hostilities end, the U.K. side indicated. A complementary U.S. role under discussion includes intelligence sharing, border surveillance, weapons deliveries and possibly air defense, Bloomberg reported.
What They’re Saying
Context
The draft guarantees follow Monday’s White House summit on Ukraine, where European leaders and U.S. officials discussed a framework to deter renewed Russian aggression once a peace deal is reached. Moscow restated its opposition to any NATO-country forces in Ukraine; Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated a “categorical rejection” on Monday.
Inside Europe, the effort is being framed as a reassurance mission rather than a combat deployment, with initial emphasis on training, rotations and reinforced presence away from active fronts. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt underscored that the guarantees are “critically important” and said air support remains “an option and a possibility,” as officials continue talks.
What’s Next
European and U.S. military officials are slated to meet in the coming days to refine force composition, basing options and command arrangements tied to any settlement. European Council President António Costa said terms should be arranged “in the coming days, preferably this week,” signaling a compressed timeline to translate political momentum into a practical package.
The Bottom Line
Europe is racing to turn political alignment into a concrete post-war security architecture for Ukraine — likely a European-led reassurance presence with U.S. enablers — while Washington signals support without U.S. ground troops. The details now taking shape will determine whether the guarantees are credible enough to deter Moscow once the shooting stops.
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