Poland to Host First “Coalition of the Willing” Military Exercises Ahead of Potential Ukraine Ceasefire

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the first joint drills of the “Coalition of the Willing” will be conducted in Poland in September 2026. The exercises will involve Polish, British and French forces and are intended to prepare the coalition to deliver concrete security guarantees for Ukraine and the surrounding region after a possible cease-fire or peace settlement.

Coalition of the Willing to Hold First Exercises in Poland in SeptemberBritish, French troops to join military exercises in PolandNotes from Poland

The coalition, led by France and the United Kingdom, has been developing a European-led “reassurance force” to support Ukraine once hostilities cease. Poland has positioned itself as the logistical hub for any post-conflict assistance, having already pledged to act as the “lead country” for logistical support. While Warsaw welcomes the drills, it has repeatedly ruled out deploying Polish troops on Ukrainian soil.

British, French troops to join military exercises in Poland

• 2023 – United States establishes its first permanent garrison in Poland.

Notes from Poland

• 2024 – U.S. opens a missile-defence base on Polish territory.

Notes from Poland

• June 2026 – Polish government formally requests a new permanent U.S. base; Washington reportedly gives a “green light.”

Notes from Poland

• 14 July 2026 – Tusk announces the coalition’s first exercises in Paris; Bulgaria withdraws from the coalition.

Coalition of the Willing to Hold First Exercises in Poland in September

• September 2026 – Scheduled date for the coalition’s inaugural drills in Poland.

Coalition of the Willing to Hold First Exercises in Poland in September

• Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland – primary architect of the exercise plan.

Notes from Poland

• Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Polish Defence Minister – affirmed readiness to host permanent French or British troops.

Notes from Poland

• Emmanuel Macron, President of France – initially raised the idea of joint drills.

Poland Announces First Military Exercises by the "Coalition of the Willing"

• Rumen Radev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria – announced Bulgaria’s exit from the coalition.

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• United States – currently stations roughly 10,000 troops in Poland on a rotational basis and is negotiating a new permanent base.

Notes from Poland

• Poland hosts approximately 10,000 U.S. troops; numbers fluctuate due to rotations.

Notes from Poland

• The 2023 U.S. permanent garrison and 2024 missile-defence installation mark the deepest American military footprint in the country to date.

Notes from Poland

• No official confirmation from Britain or France has been released regarding participation in the upcoming drills.

British, French troops to join military exercises in Poland

The exercises aim to test interoperability among coalition members and to demonstrate a collective European commitment to Ukraine’s security after hostilities end. By preparing for a permanent presence of non-U.S. allied forces, Poland seeks to share the burden of defending NATO’s eastern flank and to reduce reliance on American troops alone.

Coalition of the Willing to Hold First Exercises in Poland in September

Tusk emphasized that the drills are “to prepare the entire coalition gathered in Paris today to provide real security guarantees for Ukraine.” He added that Poland will “prepare logistically and financially for the permanent presence of not only American troops but also our allied forces in Europe.” Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland is “ready for the permanent presence of, for example, French or British troops.” The Polish government also reiterated that it will not send peacekeeping forces into Ukraine.

Notes from PolandPoland Announces First Military Exercises by the "Coalition of the Willing"British, French troops to join military exercises in Poland

Bulgaria’s withdrawal, announced by Prime Minister Radev, reflects skepticism about continued military aid. Radev argued that “continuing to supply weapons and financial support only served to prolong the war” and advocated for a diplomatic solution instead of further militarization.

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• No allied nation has publicly confirmed participation in the September drills, leaving the exact composition of forces uncertain.

Coalition of the Willing to Hold First Exercises in Poland in September

• While Polish officials cite Washington’s “green light” for a new U.S. base, no formal announcement has been made, and the timeline for construction remains unclear.

Notes from Poland

• “These exercises will prepare the entire coalition gathered in Paris today to provide real security guarantees for Ukraine,” — Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland

Notes from Poland

• “If there is a ready industrial offer from Polish companies, we will join the anti-ballistic defense coalition,” — Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland

British, French troops to join military exercises in Poland

• “If we take on more responsibility for NATO’s eastern border, then those who live far away from it will come to Poland,” — Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Defence Minister of Poland

Poland Announces First Military Exercises by the "Coalition of the Willing"

• “Speaking to reporters, Radev justified the move by arguing that continuing to supply weapons and financial support only served to prolong the war.” — Rumen Radev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria

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• “The key decision from our point of view is that the first exercises involving French and British troops will take place in Poland this autumn.” — Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland

British, French troops to join military exercises in Poland

Poland is preparing logistical and financial frameworks for the September drills and for a potential permanent stationing of French and British troops, pending further agreements with the respective governments.

British, French troops to join military exercises in Poland