European troops could fire back if attacked by Russia in postwar Ukraine mission - Guardian
British and other European troops deployed to Ukraine after a potential ceasefire would be authorized to return fire if attacked by Russian forces, while the planned multinational mission is being designed to operate without relying on US military support or technology, The Guardian reported on November 3.
The proposed stabilization force, led by the United Kingdom and France, would operate outside NATO and consist almost entirely of European personnel, according to Western officials familiar with the plans.
"Clearly we will protect our forces against any aggression," one official told The Guardian, emphasizing that the mission would remain defensive.
European troops would be stationed well away from the front line, but their rules of engagement would allow them to defend themselves against Russian drone attacks.
The force is also being planned with little or no American support.
"We are not dependent on US systems," an official said when asked whether the mission would rely on SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications network.
The approach comes amid concerns about the reliability of US military support after Washington temporarily restricted Ukraine's use of Starshield, the military version of Starlink, for approximately 10 days in October, disrupting some Ukrainian drone operations.
European troops to rehearse Ukraine deployment
The United Kingdom and France are preparing Exercise Koalicja, an 11-country military exercise scheduled for November in Poland to test the rapid deployment of European forces to Ukraine following a cessation of hostilities.
The exercise will involve 2,800 military personnel, including 1,500 French troops and 300 British troops.
Other participating countries include Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Poland.
Lt. Gen. Tom Bateman, commander of the multinational force, said the participating countries were committed to providing "robust and binding security guarantees" for Ukraine.
He said the mission would focus on helping rebuild and strengthen Ukraine's armed forces after the war.
Plans also include fighter jet patrols to help reopen Ukraine's commercial airports and a Turkish-led mine-clearing operation in the Black Sea to restore maritime trade.
The deployment remains hypothetical, with no ceasefire agreement in place. The United States has said it will not commit troops to a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, while renewed diplomatic efforts have so far produced little progress.