Multinational Force–Ukraine

The Multinational Force–Ukraine (abbr. MNF–U,^[a] French: Force multinationale en Ukraine, Ukrainian: Багатонаціональні сили–Україна, romanized: Bahatonatsionalni syly–Ukraina, lit. 'poly- (many-) national forces (troops)–Ukraine') is a proposed and planned potential multinational non-standing armed force for peace enforcement to be led by France and the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Subject to a ceasefire, MNF–U would be established in Ukraine with continental Europe's and overseas military contingent as a deterrent against renewed Russian aggression in one of the largest multinational deployments in Europe since the 1990s.^[5]

Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U) Force multinationale en Ukraine (FMN-U, French)
«Багатонаціональні сили-Україна» (Ukrainian) (as proposed and planned, November 2025)
Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Keir Starmer (pictured L-R), Friedrich Merz, Donald Tusk (not pictured) at joint press conference. 10 May 2025, Mariinskyi Palace, Kyiv, Ukraine
Also known as	MFU Deterrence[name 1] Stabilization[name 2] Reassurance force[name 3]
Founders	Sixteen nations, 2 organizations: Two Commonwealth realms 12 EU member states Turkey Ukraine EU (EC/EUCO) NATO
Founding leader	Keir Starmer UK prime minister Emmanuel Macron French president
Founding directives	Reassurance  and deterrence non-CSDP flexible armed force
Mission statement	[TBC 1] [to be determined]
Political leaders Military leader COM MNF–U   Funding mechanism	France  UK 3-star COM MNF-U FRA divisional general[2] assigned[to be determined] [TBC 2] [to be determined]
Current war phase	Russian offensives in Ukraine and Ukrainian Kursk incursion May 10, 2024 (2024-05-10)→552 days
Foundation	March 2, 2025 (2025-03-02), London (Coalition of the Willing) (at IOC) [to be determined] (at FOC) [to be determined]
Dates of operation	[to be determined] upon ceasefire agreement
Country	(forward host) Ukraine
Allegiance	Coalition of the Willing
Motives	Strengthening Ukraine's three battlespaces defences: on the land, at sea, and in the air[3]
Headquarters	FRA GBR[a] CHQ, Kyiv UKR[b]
Active regions	(see §) [to be determined]
Major actions	Designing Ukraine post-war security guarantees
Status	(operational) Inactive (planning) Advanced[c]
Size	(see §) [to be determined][7]
Part of	Peace efforts during Russo-Ukrainian war
Allies	Contributors:[TBC 3] Coalition member forces troops:[8]  Australian Defence Force[9] Belgian Armed Forces[10] Bulgarian Armed Forces  Canadian Armed Forces Danish Defence French Armed Forces  Bundeswehr[11] Netherlands Armed Forces New Zealand Defence Force Romanian Armed Forces Swedish Armed Forces  Turkish Armed Forces  Armed Forces of Ukraine British Armed Forces[12] 'No-troops-provider' militaries:[TBC 4] Austrian Armed Forces  Armed Forces of Croatia Cypriot National Guard Czech Armed Forces[13] Estonian Defence Forces  Finnish Defence Forces Hellenic Armed Forces Defence of Iceland  Ireland Armed Forces Italian Armed Forces[14]  Japan Self-Defense Forces[15] Latvian National Armed Forces[16]  Lithuanian Armed Forces  Luxembourg Armed Forces Norwegian Armed Forces[17] Polish Armed Forces Portuguese Armed Forces  Slovenian Armed Forces Spanish Armed Forces[18] European Commission European Council NATO Partner country, allied mission, commands, and group: US EUMAM UA NSATU SAG-U and JMTG-U[d]
Opponents	(per policy perception):[20] Belarus Iran North Korea[e]    Russian Federation
Organization	No-standing • Ad hoc
Notes MFU was used as an initialism before MNF-U acronym.[1] As in Ukrainian: сили стримування, romanized: syly strymuvannia and French: force de dissuasion As in French: force de stabilisation and Ukrainian: стабілізаційні сили, romanized: stabilizatsiyni syly As in French: force de réassurance As of 2026[update], see § : to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], see § : to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], per planning, in alphabetical order by contributing states: final list [to be determined] Sub-clusters are: seven Russia-bordering countries, including Japan; NSATU's three non-contributors Croatia, Luxemburg, and Spain; EUMAM UA's non-contributor (beside Croatia) Austria; Czech Republic, Cyprus, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and both organisations. As of November 2025[update], they were represented at all high-level meetings of coalition of the willing. No permanent HQ is to be established[2][4] Coordination headquarters, set upon force deployment, headed by a UK 2-star general officer.[5][6] Five sub-planning groups (land, sea, air, regeneration and reconstruction)[2] Security Assistance Group–Ukraine and Joint Military Training Group–Ukraine, responsible for provisioning of the US military assistance, and providing of the US Army military training, to the AFU respectively.[19]: p.7  Belarus, Iran, Russia, among others, are security partners within Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Timeline (statements, allocations, designations) JULY 2025 present [to be determined](at IOC) Status Force components under development Type Multinational coalition rapid development force Contributors 33 countries, NATO, EU Establishment (Kyiv HQ) [to be determined] upon comprehensive ceasefire agreement Historical era Russo-Ukrainian war • Command structure • UK cost allocation July 17, 2025 (2025-07-17) (unveiled) October 20, 2025 (2025-10-20)[21] • Inauguration (formal) [to be determined] • Force deployment [TBC 1] [to be determined]upon full hostilities cessation Time zone EET UTC+02:00/EEST UTC+03:00
Operational overview Stabilization (peacekeeping) mission as planned; since[to be determined][22] (Russian invasion of Ukraine aftermath) Part of comprehensive ceasefire control Operational scope Logistical, training expertise Force regeneration Naval mine-clearing Air policing Locations CHQ Kyiv  (Ukraine multiple)[no. 1] UKR 50.471432°N 30.52892°E / 50.471432; 30.52892 JCHQ Paris (Joint Command HQ) FRA 48.872828°N 2.213313°E / 48.872828; 2.213313 Planned on IOC phase horizon[6] Planned by Joint Command HQ Commanded by (based in Paris) 3 star COM French Army, JCHQ (based in Kyiv) 2 star DCOM  British Army, CHQ[5] Objective Enforcing buffer zones: DMZs, etc. Reconstitution, training of the host land, air, naval forces Timely delivery of humanitarian aid, reconstruction materials[23]: p.24  Date Starting the day of comprehensive ceasefire in effect [to be determined] HH:mm, D-day[no. 2][to be determined] (EET UTC+02:00/EEST UTC+03:00) Executed by DCOM CHQ/COM JCHQ with[no. 3] Outcome Ceasefire operationalizing[no. 4] Legal basis:   [to be determined][25] Command structure revealed Force components defined UK MNF-U FY2026 cost allocated Ukraine Paris MNF-Ukraine area of operations out of HQ, FR[26] Kherson Ukraine | Southern front and Black Sea Notes upon MNF-U deployment[to be determined] Date of MNF-U rapid deployment [to be determined] See §[24] See § for discussion.
Command and control structure (as of NOV'25, planning in progress) Operational-level military organization Founded dd:mm:yy[to be determined] (Ukraine HQ established) Countries (land troops deployed): [TBC 2] [to be determined] Branch Ground forces Type Combined operations multinational force Role Peace enforcement Size [TBC 3] subject to terms of ceasefire agreement Part of OHQ Combined Joint Force (under Current Commitments Team GenOf [to be determined])[a] Coordination HQ Working language Translation • Interpretation [to be determined], Kyiv English English→Ukrainian Commanders COM MNF-U JCHQ Paris, France (3-star ranked) French Army divisional general Deputy Commander CHQ Kyiv, Ukraine (2-star ranked) British Army major general Assistant Commanders Land Sea Air Force regeneration Assets reconstruction
Today part of   UDCG[b] STCAU[c] AU, CA, EU, GB, IE, JP, NZ, NO, UA sanctions aiming BY, RU International war-time sanctions   Sanctions against North Korea, Iran[30] Footnotes Expected that the joint planning framework to cohere the Coalition, ensure joint operational and strategic messaging preparing for the operational deployment of CJF in the event of a ceasefire.[28][29] Two coalitions are mutually complementary: UDCG ensures Ukraine’s survival and combat viability; MNF-U lays groundwork for European-led security guarantees and postwar reconstruction. Without Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. As of 2026[update], see §: to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], see § : final list to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], initial provisional planning number is 25,000–30,000 personnel based on average European brigade headcount: to be confirmed [7][27]
Preceded by inaugural

As Multinational Force Ukraine is not a treaty-based entity, pre-deployment membership status is conferred by representation at coalition meetings. As of December 2025^[update], Japan was the latest of 33 countries that joined MNF-U.^[b] Operationally inactive and open for contributors to join while remaining in planning phase, the force is yet to determine its size and operational areas of responsibility. October 2025 UK parliamentary statements from Defense Secretary Luke Pollard, and written answers in the UK Defence Journal, confirmed that UK was first to publicly acknowledge designation of its military contingent and units for MNF-U duty, though operational details remain confidential for security reasons.^[37]

MNF-U’s status – though in planning phase with deployment pending ceasefire – has become subject of legal and political debates.

International law and peace enforcement for Ukraine

Historical context of multinational engagements in Ukraine

The structure and scale of multinational peace operations in Ukraine must be understood against a backdrop of historical peacekeeping and Ukraine's evolving national defense doctrine. Since 1992, Ukraine has dispatched military contingents to over twenty UN, NATO, and OSCE missions, deploying more than 45,000 personnel abroad and suffering casualties. Notably, Ukraine's peacekeeping contributions persisted into Russia's 2014-2022 aggression, reflecting both a domestic commitment to multilateralism and the external recognition of Ukraine's capability and reliability as a contributor.^[38][39]

With the 2022 full-scale invasion,^[40] Ukraine withdrew most peacekeepers for home defense, but the tradition underpins receptivity to a future international stabilization mission under multilateral auspices. The concept of a Multinational Force-Ukraine echoes earlier multinational stabilization efforts, including the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) and Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia, the Kosovo Force (KFOR), the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai Peninsula, and the current one in planning – International Stabilization Force in Gaza Strip. The MNF-U proposal adapts these experiences as well as Ukraine–NATO relationship, which deepened rapidly after Russia's invasion in 2022.^[25]

Legal basis of the mission

The legal architecture for the MNF–U's peacekeeping mission is evolving amid UN precedent and international law.^[41][42] Deployment is to occur only with a comprehensive, signed ceasefire or peace deal, respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and the norms prohibiting intervention in active conflicts without host-country consent. Rules of engagement, status of forces, and chain of command are being negotiated in detail, taking lessons from previous 'coalition of the willing'.^{[c][46] [22]}

As of October 2025^[update], lack of specific 'reassurance force in Ukraine' legal analysis highlights the risks of ambiguity in force mandate, especially in the context of 'robust peace enforcement' (as opposed to traditional peacekeeping).^[47][48][49]

MNF–U design overview

The Multinational Force–Ukraine (MNF–U), also referred to as the deterrence and reassurance force, is an international political coalition – and a planned military contingent – formed in response to the Russo-Ukrainian war. Its primary objective is to support Ukraine's sovereignty and security through deterrence, reassurance, and post-war stabilization efforts. The design of the MNF-U parallels and is informed by NATO’s Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) concept, which was launched in 1993 to provide flexible, rapidly deployable multinational and multiservice task forces for missions such as humanitarian relief and peacekeeping.^[d]

Like the CJTF model, MNF-U features a modular command structure built around a headquarters nucleus, augmented by national contingents specific to mission requirements, thereby ensuring interoperability and readiness for rapid deployment.^[51]

Origin and creation

As of December 2025^[update], the MNF–U, though not formally inaugurated, is a non-deployed security-oriented mission within the informal Coalition of the Willing, which was featured, in particular, at an event in Kyiv on 10 May 2025, hosted by Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, and attended by European political leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, French president; Friedrich Merz, German chancellor; Keir Starmer, UK prime minister; and Donald Tusk, Polish prime minister.^[52] The coalition expanded from sixteen founding nations and two organizations in March to a 33-member-state entity by August 2025. Founding participants included:

• 2 Commonwealth realms – Canada and the UK,
• 12 European Union member states,
• Turkey, and Ukraine; as well as:
• European Union (represented by the European Commission and the European Council), and
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

While mission statement is pending, the MNF–U is described as a non-CSDP flexible armed force, designed to operate outside the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy framework.^[53]

Expected mission and objectives

As of December 2025^[update], MNF–U's stated mission objective includes:^[31]

• strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities across land, sea, and air;
• designing post-war security guarantees for Ukraine;
• supporting peace negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

As designed, the force organization is an ad hoc non-standing army, with its planning — including financial burden-sharing — at an advanced stage as of 2026. The MNF–U as a non-standing force is not planned to be permanently headquartered: only rotational operational HQ with Kyiv 'coordination cell' is designated for command and control.^[24]

Contributors and Partners

In addition to 33 contributing nations from Europe, the Commonwealth, and the Asia-Pacific,^[e] the coalition's partners include:

• the United States,
• European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA),
• NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU),
• US Security Assistance Group–Ukraine (SAG-U), Joint Multinational Training Group–Ukraine (JMTG–U).

Opposing entities

Perceived by policymakers opponents are:^[20]

• Belarus, Iran, North Korea, and
• Russia with its armed forces.^[54]

Doctrinal constraints and potential dynamics

As a coalition, MNF-U remains politically active but militarily nascent.

As of 2026^[update], planned as rapidly deployable, multi-national, multi-service force, this is consistent with established protocols for international military collaboration and previous operational planning disclosures. MNF-U was inactive as of November 2025, despite the political coalition (CoW) being active. Kyiv HQ physical location is yet to be determined.

The funding mechanism involves the European Peace Facility (EPF), indicating a complex, hybrid financial arrangement leveraging existing EU mechanisms. In contrast, the legal basis is defined as being outside EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, underscoring mission's ad hoc, non-treaty nature.

Doctrinal and structural alignment (pre-November 2025)

MNF-U is an analog of the CJTF model, designed for stabilization operations outside formal alliance defense mandates:

• Combined - involves the forces of up to 33 countries as contributors;
• Joint - objective as a coalition rapid deployment force necessitates Army, Navy, and Air Force contributions for a mission;
• Task - to be organized for a specific purpose – deployment upon agreed ceasefire.

The force command and control (C2) procedural and human interoperability across the 33 contributing nations is planned in consistency with usual protocols for international collaboration. Operational tempo of the mission demands the ability to be generated rapidly and at short notice.

MNF–U potential dynamics and end state

On November 5, 2025 in Bodø, Norway, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) — a UK-led multinational force of 10 Northern and Eastern European nations — formally launched an Enhanced Partnership with Ukraine.

This decision, made by JEF defence ministers, was approved to grant Ukraine the status of "Advanced Partner" in the JEF. European observers characterized the JEF's actions as a "bypass of NATO's sluggishness and bureaucracy". This confirms a strategic trend in European defense planning toward flexible, rapid-response coalitions. The JEF’s decision was explicitly described as a "strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin" regarding the collective strength and operational responsiveness of the UK-led military alliances.

Timelines and phasing

Timelines for deployment, initial operational capability, or transition to full operational capability are expected to be in phases.

Exit strategy and end state

As of 2026^[update], there were no mention of criteria for mission success assessment, conditions for withdrawal, or the envisioned end state for the MNF-U's presence in Ukraine.

Background

As a coalition stabilization and peacekeeping future force with 33 nation-contributors, MNF-U was formalized in October 2025 by France and the United Kingdom.^[55] Conceived as a rapid deployment force in response to a ceasefire in Russo-Ukrainian war, when comprehensively agreed, it is to operate with English as its working language and under extended multinational agreements.^[32] MNF-U's expected mandate to support a comprehensive ceasefire and post-war stabilization in Ukraine includes military logistics, training, force generation, naval mine‑clearing, and air policing.^[55]

Its planned command structure is divided between a joint command headquarters in Paris and a coordination headquarters in Kyiv, with a French three‑star commander in Paris and a British two‑star deputy in Kyiv. As of November 2025^[update], MNF‑U remains in the planning phase, with deployment to follow the cessation of hostilities.^[37]

As a multinational security assistance initiative, it is established to provide post‑conflict advisory, training, and logistical support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the wider security sector. Coordination headquarters in Kyiv, responsible for operative planning and coordination, is to be led by the United Kingdom, which provides core logistical and administrative staff. Additionally, headquarters is planned in Paris, reflecting both operational presence and strategic oversight.

MNF‑U is to operate under a 'non‑combat mandate' in line with coalition statements made in late 2025.^[56] Deployment of the full contingent is conditional upon the verified cessation of major hostilities and the establishment of reliable cease‑fire terms. The United Kingdom is responsible for administrative and logistical costs associated with maintaining the headquarters staff.

The MNF-U's structure, mandate, and legitimacy have quickly become points of discussion not only among governments but also within the media and academic communities across Europe and beyond.^[57]

Formation, founding directives, contributors

Ad hoc multinational crisis response coalition force outside the EU's Crisis Response Operation Core, MNF-U is to be established amidst speculative scenarios concerning Ukraine’s postwar security and the anticipated need for a rapid, 'boots-on-the-ground' peacekeeping or reassurance force, deployed upon a ceasefire or peace agreement.^[58] Its formal launch as a coalition of the willing – a Europe-led mechanism for providing concrete security guarantees to Ukraine – was in March 2025 at the London "Securing Our Future" summit, co-hosted by British Prime minister Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron.^[59]

Organization, command and control structure

On 17 July 2025, UK defence secretary unveiled planned military structure of the Multinational Force–Ukraine organized under the MNF-U Commander (COM MNF–U).^[2] Political leadership is provided by France and the United Kingdom, co-chairing regular summits of the coalition of the willing. Military command is assigned to a divisional general from France with rotation to a UK general officer in 12 months after force deployment.

Headquarters are distributed across Paris, France, Northwood Headquarters, United Kingdom, and Kyiv, Ukraine. The command structure is modeled on multinational stabilization operations, with France and the UK as lead nations and other contributors also providing troops or specialized capabilities; MNF-U operational dates and legal mandate are contingent a ceasefire agreement.^[37]

Contributors and funding

As of 2026^[update], MNF-U integrated an array of contributors, ranging from major European allies like the United Kingdom to smaller Baltic states, some of which provided only token or limited contingent pledge up-to-date.^[60][61] Troop contribution pledgers included NATO members and some non-NATO partners from Asia Pacific region. While many contributors confined their deployments pledges to support or training tasks, others are to take on more direct security roles. In an interview with Fox News on 19 August 2025, President Trump suggested that US (the non-coalition partner nation) air support was a possibility but ruled out US troops on the ground. ^{[44]: p.21-22}

MNF-U’s composition is intentionally European, both symbolically and practically, with defense burden-sharing mechanisms reflecting an emphasis on collective action and sustainable financing.^[62][63] Since March 2021, EU has been providing military equipment and training to AFU, among others, through its European Peace Facility (EPF). But this is the first time the bloc has, in its history, approved the supply of lethal weapons to a third country using EU funding, some streams of which are under consideration for potential MNF-U cost allocation.^[44]: 22

Reaction

US may provide security guarantees

Details of what US support and coordination could look like are limited. In a post on Truth Social on 18 August 2025 President Trump said that security guarantees would be provided by various European countries in “coordination with the United States of America”.^[64] He has made clear that any security guarantees will not be NATO-based guarantees. Direct US military assistance will also not be provided to MNF-U. Instead, the US is providing arms that are funded entirely by all NATO allies.^[65]

Russian opposition

Russia rejects the deployment of European peacekeepers in Ukraine to monitor and enforce any peace agreement, calling it "demonstrably unviable".^[66] Earlier in the 2025, both President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer have said that the deployment of allied forces in Ukrainian territory was "not up to Russia to accept or not".^[67][68]

Operational overview

Coalitional mission force outline (abbr. CoW • MNF-U)
11 November 2024 • present • D-day (deployed)[to be determined]
[to be determined] Flag
Dislocation [to be determined]
[TBC 1] [to be determined] Area of operations
As of 11 November 2025[update] coalitional forces allies   Non-participating EU / NATO member states   Opposing belligerents Russia, Belarus, North Korea
Status	MNF-U components under development
Location	[to be determined](Kyiv HQ)
Coalition mechanisms: • funding and support • command and control US•EU•NATO coordination • legal framework MNF — U modus vivendi: • envisioned end state • working language	[to be determined]: full list  [TBC 2] (EPF-addition) Combined joint task [TBC 3] (intern'l SOPs) [TBC 4] (outside CSDP) on agreed ceasefire [TBC 5] (exit strategy) English
• activation	dd:mm:yy[to be determined]
Type	Multinational coalition for rapid deployment
Contributors	33 countries, NATO, EU
Establishment	On Kyiv HQ foundation
Historical era	Russo-Ukrainian War
• Deployment timeline	[TBC 6] (phased; see list)
Time zone	EET UTC+02:00/EEST UTC+03:00
Inception phase dd:mm:yy [to be determined] D-day [no. 1] HH:mm:ss [to be determined]
CoW CdV   timeline Since November 2024 November 11, 2024 (2024-11-11) March 2, 2025 (2025-03-02) present Status International coalition of the willing Location Permanent HQ not established[2] Summits co-chairs   Summits • Ministerials French president UK prime minister 10 • 2 as of NOV2025 Official languages English French Political constraints Populist CoW cabinets Type Multinational ceasefire enforcement mission for rapid military deployment Membership eligibility Voluntary contributing nations by invitation Historical era Russian invasion (UKR, ongoing for 1358 days) • Coalition of the Willing (CoW) November 2024 (2024-11) (agreed) March 2, 2025 (2025-03-02) (formed, intact for 256 days) • Disestablished [to be determined][22] Today part of Designing MNF-U structural components and Ukraine's postwar security guarantees Aims Four point-plan Pledge     Firm commitment to Ukraine's defense and security politically; cautious escalation operationally Footnotes Date of MNF-U rapid deployment As of 2026[update], see § : to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], see §: to be confirmed [69] As of 2026[update], see § : to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], the force is expected to operate under a mandate derived from a comprehensive ceasefire or peace agreement, with reference to international law principles governing peace enforcement and robust peacekeeping. See §: to be confirmed [70][57] As of 2026[update], see § : to be confirmed  As of 2026[update], see § : to be confirmed

Coalition's progression from foundational declaration to operational planning was impacted by decisions on force structure, commitment to multinational command, operationalization of ceasefire (prior to peace negotiations), and pledges of troop commitments. MNF-U’s operational doctrine centers on deterrence (demonstrating credible force to prevent violations), assurance of the ceasefire (serving as a "tripwire" against renewed aggression), and support for regeneration of Ukraine’s military institutions.^[71] The mission is strictly non-offensive, with weapon posture proportional to self-defense and area security needs.

Deployment plans and force composition

The coalition is planned as a rapid deployment force of provisionally assigned 25,000-30,000 initial personnel.^[72] Subject to a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, MNF–U deployment would be phased according to its terms and conditions.^[73]

Participation levels

will vary: UK and France will anchor command and provide high-readiness forces; European allies may supply ground troops; US support could be focused on logistics, and air/ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) "backstop", with early public exclusion of direct ground deployment.^[44]

Planned strength and capabilities

According to Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, targeted initial deployment size is 4-5 mechanized brigades, although flexibility built into the force structure allows scaling as conditions evolve.^[7][f] Force generation is planned with high-readiness battalions during early phases, and the ability to surge additional units if required. The model allows for national caveats specifics but mandates unity of command in the event of crisis response.^[27]

Potential operational area overview

According to the RAND Corporation research report on ceasefire scenarios dated July 2025, there were some underlying assumptions relevant to the MNF-U's operational planning detailed below.^[23]

Geographic scope and sectorization

MNF-Ukraine area of operations might encompass:

• The entirety of uncontested Ukrainian territory, with particular focus on newly demilitarized zones (DMZs) or regions adjacent to the frontlines.
• Buffer areas, including potential DMZs, along ceasefire lines and international borders, especially the Russia-Ukraine border in the east and northeast and, potentially, boundary around Crimea (though it likely requires a different arrangement).
• Sectorization, whereby the country is partitioned into zones of responsibility, drawing inspiration from the Multinational Force and Observers model (Zones A, B, C) to facilitate monitoring and management.^[g] These zones support both separation of forces and confidence-building measures, and allow for tailored mandates by sector: geographically, main potential monitoring areas can be clustered with 4 sectors.^[h]

Demilitarized zones, other buffer areas

According to the RAND Corporation research, buffer areas serve to prevent inadvertent clashes and to maintain spatial separation of hostile forces – classical features of post-ceasefire stability: inner buffer lines,^[i] external frontiers contour,^[j] and flexible, adaptable arrangements contingent on the ceasefire’s terms. To ensure transparency and incident reporting, neutral observers, as well as sensoring surveillance equipment, are to be placed.^{[23]: 66, 74, 77–99}

The report's first top-line recommendation is the inclusion of DMZs into potential ceasefire agreement along the line of contact: they raise the costs of breaking a ceasefire with physical obstacles. Additionally, DMZs "have to vary in width according to the particular geography; for example, there are some population centers that abut the line of contact as of this writing, and they might require additional protections."^[23]: 24

Planning and execution prospects

Joint Anglo-French command arrangement

Though an unprecedented arrangement for Ukraine – above Kyiv two-star operational headquarters – MNF-U's three-star strategic command is to be jointly exercised by the UK and France. This joint structure allows for 'shared sovereign' oversight while maintaining operational unity of command, and is expected to remain even if the command center relocates (from Paris to London, as planned). In line with tested CJF^[k] model of rotating HQ under modernized treaty, this dual-level command, in a clear operational–strategic split, is designed to maximize coordination and assure NATO and partner nations of routine oversight.^[5][29]

Integration of national and international elements

Additionally, MNF-U command arrangements include liaison structures, coordination cells, and embedded staff from the coalition states, including Ukraine. This composition harmonizes rules of engagement, logistics workflows, reporting discipline, and interoperability.^[74] Communicating is a factor: English is established as the working language, thus, staff of the MNF-U are expected to profess in multinational doctrines and protocols, with its potential parent unit in the chain of command remaining under consideration.^[32]

Expected support and finance

The MNF-U’s structure emphasizes integrated logistics components, drawing on lessons in multinational sustainment.^[75] As of November 2025^[update], the challenge of equitable and sustainable MNF–U burden-sharing is likely to be acute, given the size of the projected force and the political complexity of funding defense in a European context.^[47]

Funding mechanism

MNF-U is anticipated to be primarily funded through collective European, NATO, and EU mechanisms, supplemented by national contributions, both financial and in-kind, from coalition partners, and with some limited US in-kind support in the form of ISR and equipment.^[33]

Funds sourcing options

As available data allow, given the EU investment frameworks and US strategic support, and as referenced in contemporary analyses and EU funding legislative summaries, planned financing streams are to include:

• EU’s European Peace Facility (EPF) or the UN-assessed funds;
• contributions of the 'coalition of the willing' states;^[76]
• ad hoc mechanisms (e.g., supplemental US or EU grants).

All participating nations are expected to contribute to their own contingent’s personnel in-kind, but the costs for command, logistics, and multinational operations may be apportioned according to pre-agreed formulas reflecting NATO/common EU procedures. EU defense expenditure has increased sharply, projected to reach €381 billion in 2025, and defense investments have grown by over 40% compared to earlier levels.^[77] Initiatives such as the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF – backed by up to €50 billion (2024-2027) – could provide an explicit structure for funding stabilization, reconstruction, and military support to Ukraine, though direct MNF-U operational costs may fall outside such civilian-focused instruments.^[78]

See also

Inquiry into Australian support for Ukraine by Australian Government

• Armed Forces of Ukraine international deployments – Combined military forces of Ukraine
• Combined Joint Expeditionary Force – Joint UK–French multi-component expeditionary force (rebranded Combined Joint Force [CJF] since July 2025)
• Joint Expeditionary Force – UK-led Northern European multi-national rapid response and expeditionary force
• Joint Centre of Control and Coordination – 2014-17 ceasefire-monitoring and safety-enforcement organization
• Kosovo Force – NATO-led international peacekeeping force
• Lancaster House 2.0 – 2010 treaties between United Kingdom and France, with additional agreement of July 2025
• Multinational Joint Commission – Military training mission to Ukraine
• Operation Atlantic Resolve – US deployments to Europe in response to Russo-Ukrainian War
• Operation Interflex – British training mission in Ukraine
• Operation Unifier – Canadian Armed Forces operation in Ukraine
• Readiness 2030 – European strategic defense initiative
• Weimar+ – Intergovernmental alliance of EU nations and the UK
• Ukraine's Peace Formula – 2022 Ukrainian diplomatic initiative proposed worldwide to simply end the war with Russia^[79]

Ukraine's Peace Formula Philosophy by Volodymyr Zelensky

Notes

1. The title is a proper name and a common noun phrase.^[31] First attested public usage of the acronym is in UK Ministry of Defence answer to a written question.^[32] Later in 2025, the attested usage are in the Ukraine's,^[33] Serbia's media,^[34] in Finnish.^[35] For translation influence on shaping conflicts discourse and information transitioning from local to international press and vice versa see the handbook.^[36]
2. Formally in August, when Prime minister of Japan represented it virtually at three meetings.
3. As of November 2025^[update], the main discussion points in academia on security studies are:

   Mandate ambiguity for a reassurance force in Ukraine

   Peacekeeping versus peace enforcement

   -Consent and sovereignty; -Authority to use force

   Current proposals and political signals shaping the mandate

   -Coalition commitments: as of early September 2025, 25 countries publicly committed to a reassurance force contingent upon a ceasefire or peace deal, signaling breadth of political support but not resolving the legal basis or full operational scope;^[43] -Force composition and options; -Willing contributors; -Security guarantees landscape

   Rules of engagement, status of forces, and chain of command

   -Rules of engagement (ROE); -Status of forces agreements (SOFAs); -Command and control (2C)

   Managing the peace enforcement versus peacekeeping tension

   -Mandate drafting; -Consent architecture: to anchor the mission in Ukraine's formal invitation and parliamentary authorization (according to Ukraine's Prime minister's office statement on 10 July 2025, Ukraine is ready to issue an invitation to the force and enter into formal agreements with participating nations as and when necessary),^[44]: 21 complemented by the coalition parliamentary approvals and harmonized national caveats annexed to the mandate. If UNSC authorization is infeasible, transparency and legality via public instruments, SOFAs, and ROE publication (to the extent possible) bolster legitimacy;^[45] -Escalation ladders and accountability

   Practical risks and mitigation steps

4. To provide technical precision, the operational framework aligns with the CJTF requirement for force generation for missions not involving the defense of Alliance territory.^[50] The concept was launched in late 1993 and endorsed at the Brussels Summit of January 1994, with the overall political-military framework approved in June 1996.
5. See infobox Allies for a list
6. Composition might include:

   • Mechanized infantry, light/medium armor, logistics, medical, and engineering units;
   • Specialist detachments for CBRN, EOD, and civil-military coordination;
   • Air component for observation, medevac, and rapid reaction;
   • Potential naval forces for Black Sea security
7. Possibly: "Zone A": Directly adjacent to the Russian border, under international observation but with Russian forces excluded from proximity; "Zone B": A central, demilitarized buffer zone under MNF-U monitoring and patrolling; "Zone C": Ukrainian-controlled, demilitarized areas to the west and near the EU border, monitored to prevent re-escalation.^[23]: ?
8. (1) the section of Ukraine’s northern border that lies within the geographical region known as Polesia, a large floodplain area that crisscrosses international borders; (2) Ukraine’s flat steppe, which extends through the Donbas; (3) the coastal waters along the Black Sea, possibly including the Sea of Azov; and (4) the areas along the Dnipro River, as well as other rivers, lakes, or narrow straits.^[23]: 65
9. Potentially to be MNF-U-patrolled.
10. Possibly, AFU-controlled with international oversight.
11. a.k.a. Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, rebranded in July 2025