France readies troops for potential deployment to Ukraine after ceasefire

France is preparing to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, according to Europe 1.

The deployment would form part of a multinational European force established under the Coalition of the Willing, which brings together 35 countries seeking to provide Ukraine with security guarantees after hostilities end.

An international headquarters is already prepared to command the largely European force.

French troops would be stationed away from the front line, at strategic locations, rather than along the 1,000km front where they could come under Russian fire.

Their role would be to train and equip Ukrainian forces and help regenerate the Ukrainian army.

French Rafale fighter jets would also take part in securing Ukrainian airspace, according to the report.

The exact number of troops each participating country would contribute has not been disclosed. The multinational force would consist of several thousand military personnel in total.

Its main purpose would be to deter Russia from resuming hostilities after a ceasefire agreement, Europe 1 reported.

The plans come as US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have discussed ways to end the war during the UN General Assembly. Both have expressed a desire to end hostilities before winter.

By Aghakazim Guliyev