The UK is hosting a closed meeting on Thursday with senior military leaders from the "coalition of the willing" to finalize plans for a proposed peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Over 20 countries are believed to be involved in the discussions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to attend the meeting later in the afternoon after visiting Barrow, where he will oversee the laying of the keel for one of Britain’s next-generation nuclear-armed submarines.
The plans for a Western-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine are advancing to an operational phase. Military leaders from the coalition, led by Britain and France, will gather at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood to discuss the practical implementation of the mission.
However, several major obstacles remain. Russian President Vladimir Putin has firmly stated that Moscow will not tolerate the presence of any NATO troops in Ukraine, regardless of their role. Additionally, the US has shown reluctance to provide the necessary air cover that the potential contributors say is essential.
Before attending the military meeting, Sir Keir will visit Barrow, where he will highlight the town as a “blueprint” for how defense spending can benefit local communities. During his visit, he will announce that the King has granted Barrow the title of “Royal” in recognition of its contributions to national security.
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the crew of HMS Vanguard, one of Britain’s nuclear submarines, as it returned to Scotland after patrolling the North Atlantic waters. In a statement, Sir Keir emphasized the credibility of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, noting that the Kremlin respects the UK’s independent deterrent and NATO commitments.
Defence Secretary John Healey, who accompanied the Prime Minister, reaffirmed the government’s “unshakeable” commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent, describing it as "the ultimate guarantor" of national security and the security of NATO allies.
Source; Bbc
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