'Koalicja 2026': Coalition of the Willing plans first drill in Poland and Black Sea
In November, the force led by France and Britain will train in Poland, Romanian airspace and the western Black Sea. Germany's armed forces will also take part.
Symbolic image · Photo: U.S. Army HQMND-NE by Lt. Col. Ryan Donald / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
The Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine, a group of around 35 countries, is preparing its first military exercise. Named "Koalicja 2026" (Polish for "Coalition 2026"), it is due to take place in November at training grounds in south-eastern Poland, in Romanian airspace and in the western Black Sea. It is meant to test the readiness of the multinational force that France and Britain are building to secure a possible ceasefire with Russia.
Germany will send about ten staff officers, up to two A400M aircraft for air-to-air refuelling and logistical support for moving troops through the country, dpa reported. The German defence ministry called it a "sign of unity with our partners". Dates and scale are still open: Poland's defence ministry plans to give details only in early November.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting spoke of "thousands of soldiers" in mid-October; The Times reported 1,500 French, British and German troops alongside Polish forces, which has not been confirmed. The timing is seen as sensitive: Washington wants to bring Russia and Ukraine back to the negotiating table in Abu Dhabi, possibly from 10 November.