Plans to create a European Stabilisation force for Ukraine have reached the military planning stage, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. It follows disclosures that Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin went to Kyiv earlier today for top-level discussions with his French and Ukrainian counterparts on precisely how a multinational force of 30,000 troops would be used on the ground.

The Defence Chiefs addressed the structure, size and composition required for the stabilisation force, will will contain troops from 30 nations, the MoD said, with meetings focused on how to build on Ukraine’s current capabilities to put the country in the strongest possible position for the future.

They were deliberately timed to precede crunch talks by defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday, which will be defence secretary John Healey and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu.

Those talks will build on the military planning that has taken place over the last few weeks with nations looking at contributing their own capabilities to support any future force.

Mr Healey will also chair the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, on Friday.

The UK signed a Trinity House Agreement with Germany in October aimed at boosting cooperation over defence issues such as missile defence

Around 50 nations will gather to drive forward additional military support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian attacks.

The UK convened and chaired the UDCG for the first time in February, with 46 nations in attendance, raising extra £1.5 billion.

PM Sir Keir Starmer has issued a four-point plan to support Ukraine by ramping up delivery of weapons and equipment, boosting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the long term, working with allies to develop robust security assurances, and keeping up pressure on Putin.

“Our coalition of nations, working at pace and willing to stand with Ukraine for the long-term, is a stark contrast to Russia who stand alone with only North Korea for a friend," said Mr Healey.

“As Putin prevaricates over a ceasefire, we will continue to ramp up our military planning, exploring the air, sea and land forces that could support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

“However, we will not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. That’s why in the week ahead we will also convene the Ukraine Defence Contact Group to supply Ukraine with the military equipment they need to put them in the strongest possible position as they fight back brutal continuing Russian attacks.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: “The UK is ironclad in our support for Ukraine, which is why we’re stepping up for a just and lasting peace.

“Our meetings looked at how we can build on the formidable capabilities of the Ukrainian Army and put them in the strongest possible position to deter Russian aggression.

“I am encouraged by the strength of unity we’ve seen between our European and international allies.”

The MOD has sent around 400 different capabilities to Ukraine, with a new £150 million package including drones, tanks and air defence systems announced on 12 February 2025, a £225 million package including drones, boats and munitions announced on 19 December 2024, and 650 lightweight multirole missiles announced on 6 September 2024.