'Coalition of the Willing' set to provide air patrols and naval demining to Ukraine

Allies in the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' have planned three main security guarantees for Ukraine including the reassurance force, air patrols, and a naval demining force, sources have told Euronews.

Military sources said that war "gaming" - or the playing out of various, potential scenarios - is being envisaged to ensure military capabilities and plans are ready for all contingencies.

One of the key questions remaining is "what to do when you deploy a force and Russia shoots at you", one source said.

Leaders from 34, mostly European countries, will on Thursday take part in the meeting of the coalition convened by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the request of their Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The heads of NATO, as well as the chiefs of the European Council and European Commission will also take part.

Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, told reporters on Wednesday that although the alliance will not play a role in the security guarantees, it is taking part in the talks "to prevent spreading our resources too thinly". NATO's Supreme Allied Commander of Europe (SACEUR), US Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, is also involved in the process.

"We always have to look at what the impact will be on the NATO plans," Rutte added.

The coalition was formed in mid-February to work on providing security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of ceasefire with Russia given Washington's insistence that Europe would have to shoulder most of the burden.

Kyiv sees membership of NATO and the EU as the ultimate security guarantees but has also urged allies to pledge long-term support to its military to ensure it is in a position of strength to deter a potential future aggression.

Macron affirmed on Wednesday evening that the technical work carried out by military chiefs from across the coalition since then "is now complete" with the contributions from the various allies "prepared, documented, and confirmed" and set to be "endorsed politically" by the leaders.

The Elysee had said earlier this week that they were now only looking for confirmation that the plans will have US support.

Macron will brief US President Donald Trump on Thursday's talks in the early afternoon.

Many allies are wary of sending boots on the ground following a ceasefire agreement, even in non-contact areas, without a so-called US backstop such as air and missile cover and information sharing.

Countries involved in the coalition and Ukraine are urging Trump to increase pressure on Russia after President Vladimir Putin ignored a US deadline to come to the negotiating table.

Asked about the lack of progress on Wednesday, the US leader told CBS News he is in contact with both leaders, adding: "Something is going to happen, but they are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done."