Europe's 'Coalition of the Willing' Rehearses for Ukraine — Without a Single American Soldier

Britain and France lead 2,800 troops from 11 nations in a two-week drill starting Monday in Poland, France and Turkey. It is the first big test of a postwar force for Ukraine — and a sign Europe is finally carrying its own load.

By Clara Hughes

The day before American, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators sit down in Abu Dhabi, European troops will start rehearsing for what comes after a deal. Britain and France will jointly lead KOALICJA 26.2 from Nov. 9 to 22, bringing together 2,800 troops from 11 nations in Poland, France and Turkey, Defense News reported. It is the Coalition of the Willing’s first major military exercise, run under its military arm, the Multinational Force-Ukraine (MNF-U). American troops will not participate. That last line is the headline for U.S. readers. For years, every serious European security plan quietly assumed American soldiers would do the heavy lifting. This one does not. Keep reading with Altas Premium. Below: