Emmanuel Macron says "Multinational Force for Ukraine" will be tested in autumn drills

A group of allied governments preparing to secure Ukraine after any future ceasefire is moving from planning into military drills, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing autumn exercises. The maneuvers, to be held in Poland in October and November, aim to test how Western troops could deploy into Ukraine once hostilities credibly stop. The planned force—not under NATO or the UN—is declared operationally ready, headquartered in Paris, and commanded since late July by British General Tom Bateman. The U.K. prime minister also authorized sharing Storm Shadow missile plans to boost production in Ukraine, according to reports. Around 1,500 British and French soldiers are expected in Poland from September. London claims over 25 nations participate, though no list is published. Italy has reportedly declined to join the exercises, consistent with its stance against sending soldiers to Ukraine. The drills matter because they test deterrence against a future Russian attack.