Britain and France are leading efforts to establish a European 'reassurance force' aimed at protecting Ukraine's critical infrastructure and deterring potential Russian aggression following a prospective U.S.-brokered peace agreement.

The proposed force would comprise up to 30,000 troops, primarily focusing on air and maritime defense, with minimal ground presence in eastern Ukraine.

Objectives include securing Ukraine's airspace for commercial flights and safeguarding Black Sea maritime routes essential for grain exports.

The initiative seeks a U.S. commitment to provide substantial air power support, as direct U.S. troop deployment has been ruled out.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to visit Washington to discuss the proposal with President Donald Trump.

Russia has expressed opposition to any NATO-affiliated forces operating within Ukraine post-conflict.

The plan remains in the conceptual phase, pending further discussions and integration into a formal peace agreement.