Military chiefs from over 30 nations gathered at Britain’s Northwood military base near London on Thursday to strategize the operational framework for a "coalition of the willing" aimed at defending Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. The closed-door meeting, hosted by the UK, marks a shift into an operational phase for securing Ukraine’s future, as announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Starmer, addressing reporters post-meeting, stressed the need for a robust defense plan to underpin any potential peace deal. “Everyone wants lasting peace, especially Ukrainians, but it must be a defended deal,” he said, emphasizing that security arrangements are vital to deter Russian breaches. Britain and France are spearheading this effort following U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which have raised concerns over waning U.S. commitment. Countries like Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Canada, and Australia were represented, though the U.S. has yet to pledge support for a Western military presence in Ukraine.

The coalition’s plans explore air, sea, and ground operations, with Starmer underscoring U.S. involvement as “necessary” for credibility. This comes after a March 2 summit where European leaders, including Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, agreed to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and present a ceasefire plan to the U.S. However, Russia’s Kremlin, via spokesman Dmitry Peskov, accused Europe of “militarization,” rejecting NATO troops in Ukraine.

The meeting precedes Russia-U.S. talks set for Monday in Riyadh, following Trump and Putin’s initial peace discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists on direct involvement in negotiations, a stance backed by Europe. As drone attacks persist—Russia launching 171 and Ukraine 132 overnight—the coalition aims to ensure Ukraine’s security, amid fears of a temporary truce unraveling without enforcement.