The transition is part of a planned rotation between the UK and France
The United Kingdom on Friday assumed command of the multinational force being prepared by the so-called coalition of the willing to support Ukraine once hostilities with Russia end.
Lieutenant General Tom Bateman formally took over command of the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U) from his French counterpart during a handover ceremony at the force’s operational headquarters in Paris. The transition is part of a planned rotation between the UK and France, which jointly lead the coalition of the willing in preparing support for Ukraine’s future security.
“Building on the excellent work of my predecessor and his multinational team, we will continue to work closely with our Ukrainian and international partners to prepare a force that will help support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Lieutenant General Bateman said in a statement.
The announcement comes as coalition partners prepare military exercises over the coming months to test the force’s readiness to deploy once conditions allow. The first exercise will be held in Poland in the autumn.
