Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

France, UK prepare 50,000-troop force for Ukraine deployment

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Jul 2025 23:37
  • 4 Shares
3 Min Read

France and the UK are forming a 50,000-strong joint force, based in Paris, to lead a potential multinational deployment in Ukraine after a ceasefire, aiming to enforce peace terms without replacing Ukrainian troops, a move Russia deems unacceptable.

Listen
  • x
  • ap
    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron hold a joint press conference in London, Thursday July 10, 2025. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

France and the United Kingdom are moving forward with plans to establish a substantial joint military force that could be deployed in Ukraine following a ceasefire, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Thursday. Designed to guarantee adherence to any future peace agreement, the proposed force may include up to 50,000 troops and could serve as the nucleus of a wider European-led stabilization effort.

Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Macron explained that the force, originally conceived at the brigade level, will now be scaled up significantly.

"We are increasing the number of these combined forces from the brigade level to the army corps level, meaning they will be able to number up to 50,000 troops capable of being involved in a major clash. They will also be able to include other European partners and be put at the disposal of NATO," Macron said at a joint press conference.

This upgrade transforms the French-UK Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) into a corps-level formation capable of land, air, and maritime operations. The initiative builds upon a broader effort, spearheaded by France, to form a "coalition of the willing" that could take on post-conflict responsibilities in Ukraine. According to Macron, this coalition will not replace Ukrainian forces or act as a traditional peacekeeping mission, but will instead serve as a deterrent and stabilizer in the event of a ceasefire.

Related News

Report questions Turkey’s role in future European defense plans

US threatens new tariffs on Russian oil buyers after Moscow ultimatum

"The UK-French initiative would be neither a replacement for Ukrainian troops nor a peacekeeping force," he reiterated.

UK Prime Minister Starmer added that the coalition headquarters has already been established in Paris, and the development of the command structure is ongoing. A coordination cell is also expected to be created in Kiev.

Postwar military blueprint

The force is part of a broader strategy to reduce European reliance on the United States for regional defense. During a summit in Paris earlier this year, Macron noted that several countries expressed interest in contributing troops under this framework. The presence of US delegates at the recent Rome meeting, attended by Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and US lawmakers, signals growing transatlantic interest, although Washington has not formally joined the initiative.

Macron has framed the plan as a necessary step for European strategic autonomy, particularly as US attention shifts increasingly toward the Indo-Pacific. Starmer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a credible European military presence to uphold any ceasefire agreement with Russia.

Still, the proposal has provoked strong opposition from Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned in February that the presence of NATO-aligned forces on Ukrainian soil would be "unacceptable" to Russia, signaling the potential for renewed confrontation.

Read more: Western arms undermine peace, talks await Kiev's response: Kremlin

  • Nato
  • Keir Starmer
  • France
  • ceasefire in Ukraine
  • UK
  • Ukraine
  • Macron
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS